Elections are great business
Few people would dispute the bias of Fox News. Others would claim CNN and MSNBC have their own biases.
The rise of cable news puts the equal-time rule of the Communication Act of 1934 in an interesting light. The rule says radio and television broadcast stations must provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidates who request it.
The rule also allows for several exceptions, including a bona fide news interview, scheduled newscast, or an on-the-spot news event. Those exceptions pretty much define every cable news channel in existence.
Should we as consumers be concerned about bias in cable news?
On one hand, we have to recognize that cable news outlets serve a public interest and should be held to high standards. On the other hand, we have to respect their needs to serve shareholders’ interests, which means picking a target audience that will drive the most revenue.
So, hold on to your remote because there is no season like election season for cable news.
Thankfully, we have a choice our forefathers did not in 1934: the Internet.
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