Digest

This episode of On the Media delves into the early years of Fox News, examining its controversial role in the 1996 and 2000 presidential elections. The episode begins by introducing Mike Schneider, a veteran journalist who joined Fox News in 1996, and details the network's early struggles, including its limited availability on cable systems and a disastrous election night broadcast in 1996. The episode then explores the early days of Fox News's Washington bureau, highlighting the experiences of three key employees: Caroline Bruner, Jim Mills, and Anne McGann. It discusses the network's non-union status and its early attempts to establish itself as a credible news source. The episode then introduces Tom Connolly, a Democratic activist who uncovered a previously unreported DUI arrest by George W. Bush. It details how Fox News broke the story and the subsequent controversy surrounding its reporting. The episode also reveals that John Ellis, George W. Bush's first cousin, was the head of Fox News's decision desk during the 2000 election. It examines the controversy surrounding Ellis's role and the network's decision to call Florida for Bush before other networks. The episode concludes by discussing the impact of the 2000 election on Fox News and its relationship with the Republican Party. It explores how the network's coverage of the election contributed to its rise as a major force in American politics.

Outlines

00:00:00

Fox News: The Early Years and the 2000 Election

This episode of On the Media explores the early years of Fox News, examining its controversial role in the 1996 and 2000 presidential elections. The episode begins by introducing Mike Schneider, a veteran journalist who joined Fox News in 1996, and details the network's early struggles, including its limited availability on cable systems and a disastrous election night broadcast in 1996. The episode then explores the early days of Fox News's Washington bureau, highlighting the experiences of three key employees: Caroline Bruner, Jim Mills, and Anne McGann. It discusses the network's non-union status and its early attempts to establish itself as a credible news source.

00:15:57

The Weiner Boy Incident and the 2000 Election

The episode introduces Tom Connolly, a Democratic activist who uncovered a previously unreported DUI arrest by George W. Bush. It details how Fox News broke the story and the subsequent controversy surrounding its reporting. The episode also reveals that John Ellis, George W. Bush's first cousin, was the head of Fox News's decision desk during the 2000 election. It examines the controversy surrounding Ellis's role and the network's decision to call Florida for Bush before other networks.

00:49:39

The Aftermath of the 2000 Election and Fox News's Legacy

The episode concludes by discussing the impact of the 2000 election on Fox News and its relationship with the Republican Party. It explores how the network's coverage of the election contributed to its rise as a major force in American politics.

Keywords

Q&A

• How did Fox News's coverage of the 2000 election contribute to its rise as a major force in American politics?

  Fox News's decision to call Florida for Bush before other networks, despite the close margin and potential for data errors, gave the impression that the election was over. This created a narrative that Bush was the presumed winner, even though the race was ultimately decided by a recount and legal challenges. This event solidified Fox News's position as a powerful force in American politics and helped to solidify its conservative audience.

• What were the ethical implications of John Ellis's role as head of Fox News's decision desk during the 2000 election?

  Ellis's close family ties to George W. Bush raised concerns about potential bias and conflicts of interest. Critics argued that his position on the decision desk, which was responsible for making crucial calls on election races, created a perception of unfairness and undermined the network's credibility.

• How did Fox News's coverage of the 2000 election change the way Americans perceive the network?

  The 2000 election solidified Fox News's reputation as a conservative outlet and a major player in American politics. The network's decision to call Florida for Bush before other networks, despite the close margin and potential for data errors, was seen by many as a sign of its partisan leanings. This event contributed to the perception of Fox News as a counter-establishment force in American media, challenging the traditional liberal media landscape.

Show Notes