Fox News VS CNN VS NBC

Lil, when you say this are you referring to shows that are only supposed to just "tell the news" or those shows that are meant to be commentary and are presented as such? I think there's a lot of confusion between the two these days since the advent of 24/7 cable news programming. Few "news" shows are just news shows, if that makes any sense! Each news network has its own target audience and their headlining personalities reflect that. I don't think it's any accident that Countdown With Keith Olbermann is on opposite O'Reilly or that newcomer Rachel Maddow is opposite Hannity. We're long past the days of ABC, CBS and NBC's 6:30 news where the anchors weren't supposed to show any emotions or opinions at all. Annie

Tell me about it. I miss those days. Why can't we just get the news. I dont want to know what their slant on it is (weather repub or dem). I just want to make my mind up on how I feel about on my own using facts. Is that too much to ask?

I have always wondered if I should even watch the television news or look online. I will take your outlook on it.

I think people sometimes confuse hard news programming with shows that are intended to be panel discussion shows are commentary shows. Taskr, when you say something about any of the news networks whether it be CNN, Fox or MSNBC are you referring to their NEWS or to their other programming? I think any of us who watch any of the cable news networks would have to admit the line between hard news and commentary is rather blurred these days. You've brought up Chris Matthews "tingly leg" comment many times and that WAS silly but as I've asked someone here on myLot recently (I can't remember if it was you or not!) did you know Matthews says he voted for Bush in 2000 and for Michael Steele when he ran for the Senate? That's not really the point but the point is Chris Matthews isn't a news anchor. His "Hardball" show as well as his Sunday show are discussion and commentary shows. He interviews many people from both parties as well as some independents and third party members. He also has frequent guests on his show from both sides of the political aisle. I think when it comes to their line-up on prime time MSNBC is a good alternative to Fox News with the former's hosts being mostly to the left and the latter's mostly to the right. CNN is a bit more neutral but they're also a bit stale, in my opinion, which may not be fair since I rarely watch them anymore. However, do you ever watch MSNBC's other news programming, when they're not editorializing but simply reporting the news? I'll go first and admit I don't watch Fox much at all so maybe when they're just giving the news and not showcasing their on-air "talent" such as O'Reilly and Hannity they are fair. Annie

Actually Annie, even most of the liberals here at mylot have admitted that MSNBC is very biased towards the left. CNN is the one that I've seen most people call fair. As I said, I think they try to be fair, but are still biased. I don't know how anyone can even begin to think that MSNBC is fair unless that "tingling up the leg" is considered normal.

Also I find that FOX, CNN, and NBC tend to dwell on celebrities and I think that is SO annoying. If I wanted the news on celebrities I'd watch E!.

Yes, i do feel that CNN goes a little to the extreme also. I watch fox news mostly ,but i will try what snowy said and watch BBC.