Dobbs Claims "Fair and Balanced" Claim Is "Ridiculous"

[Caution]

CNN business anchor Lou Dobbs has scoffed at the "fair and balanced" motto of his principal competitor, Fox News Channel. In an interview with the trade publication Radio Ink, Dobbs remarked, "The idea that a reporter has to be 'fair and balanced' is ridiculous. The fact is, the truth usually is not fair and it's not balanced. Truth stands by itself. And the idea that something called fair and balanced is a substitute for truth and fact is mindless nonsense that has captured much of the national media." He insisted that reporters have no obligation to report on both the Republican and Democratic views of every issue. "Does that mean if we had three major political parties there would be three sides to the truth? If we had four, there would be four. It's utter nonsense. There is a non-partisan reality in every story, and it is our obligation to report that reality. And the hell with whether the viewer is a Democrat or Republican," he said.

http://www.imdb.com/news/sb/2005-10-17/#tv6

[katmondoo]

1. Dobbs is getting good.

[Skinner]

2. Exactly.

Well said, Lou.

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. He's only making lame excuses for his own biases.

And he would only be good if he followed-up his diatribe with a call for a return of the Fairness Doctrine.

Lou Dobbs is a bit of a liability for Liberals, because moderate Republicans think he's Liberal. Agreeing with Dobbs is like holding a two edged sword by the blade. That's what it's like when you agree with any Libertarian on any issue.

[texpatriot2004]

3. If he's so great what's with the "I'll never forgive Fitzgerald for

what he did to you" crap with Judy.

[Caution]

7. Give credit where credit is due. Isn't it about time a major

media figure stated exactly what he just said?

And where did I say he was great?

[texpatriot2004]

15. Touche. It's not you or your post, it's that people keep singing

his praises and I think his interview with Judy was pitiful. He was so pro-Judy.

[wtmusic]

18. Exactly...what was so "pro-truth" about Judith Miller?

The truth that she was an admin shill doesn't seem particularly newsworthy to Lou

[Pawel K]

8. He has been wrong many times, like I said he considers himself republican;

but...

I really respect the fact he has a consistent position and isn't afraid to speak his mind. He doesn't care if he pisses off republicans or democrats.

[dave29]

4. now if you'll pardon me, I'm going to kiss Judy Millers Ass

repeatedly

[Pawel K]

5. And to think he considers himself Republican

I've been watching him for almost 2 years now, he's great!

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. Well, he should know.

Lou Dobbs can bite my butt. :smoke:

[Verve]

9. I'm so glad CNN is addressing FAUX News!

I love their commercial with Dale Earnhardt Jr. who is basically talking about FAUX when he says he doesn't want all the spin attached to his news.

[Seansky]

10. well, well, CNN must be really fighting for ratings...

[William769]

11. I put Lou Dobbs right up there with Aaron Brown.

[Gloria]

12. Dobbs seems today to be "reality based"....

eom

[alcibiades_mystery]

13. While there is no obligation to "cover both sides"

the idea that there is a "non-partisan reality" out there is absolute bullshit. The pretention to "neutrality" does far more damage than copping to bias, because that "neutral" viewpoint is always the viewpoint of power hiding its own operations.

[Caution]

17. there are times when facts are facts

There were no WMD. Reagan knew. Nixon knew.

Is there bias? Sure, but it should be minimized rather than what we have now which is "Here is what side A is saying about WMD and here is what side B is saying about WMD. The side that has more or more credible sounding talking heads wins."

[NNN0LHI]

14. CNN's motto -- "The most trusted name in news" Hmmm n/t

[Daphne08]

16. Lou Dobbs unashamedly stands up for the American worker,

and for that alone, I admire him.

After all, how many of our Senators and Representatives are really fighting for the American workers these days? (We know our blue-blooded President doesn't have our best interests at heart since he could not possibly have a clue as to what our lives are like.)

Perhaps more newsmen and commentators can take a lesson from Lou Dobbs and shame Washington into passing laws again that benefit us!

[FrankChurch]

19. Dobbs is the best.

He is a conservative, but he tells the story, no matter if it offends right or left. He is really good on trade issues.

[Neil Lisst]

20. I love Lou Dobbs. Only guy on JOBS being exported.

God bless him.

Hu?
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst

[wtmusic]

21. Bullshit

Facts are facts. Good Lou -- maybe you can 'splain me how the subjective decision of *which* facts get reported doesn't require fairness and balance?