I propose the only solution to the "Fox Problem" is the hard choice. You. You (hypothetical, writ large) have to stop not-engaging when Uncle MAGA says the Jewish Space Lasers are activating the 5G nanobots so the Soros Zombie Army mail-in-vote frauds. You say "Bullshit" every time. Every time.
Exactly. When my dad started watching Fox News I had conversations with him about what they said and how he taught me to question things that were printed in the paper or said on TV. He stopped watching. And when he was around others who watched, he had that conversation with them.
My stepfather was a socially liberal fiscally conservative type in the late 80s and early 90s and by Obama's administration he, a lifelong pacifist who was extremely leery of guns, had a pistol, a concealed carry permit, and his new wife did too all bc Fox convinced them Dems were comin' for guns.
And I'm being really kind and censorious of what Fox actually convinced them of. Maybe read between the white piano keys to see what who was "coming for your guns."
Fox also isn’t the problem. The real issue is the conspiracy-loving fake patriot audience. They exist irrespective of whether Fox News does, and they vote. They need to be offered, persuaded, or convinced to think different. Not all of them, obviously, but enough.
Rt wing media (aka Fox) was a huge part of the Tea Party. There tactic was to take hold of AM broadcasting because the knew they had a captive audience that would listen to Rush Limbaugh all day long without any alternate viewpoints. Those areas still depend on these AM stations for information.
You know how Limbaugh had a call in portion of his show? That fully met the requirements of the Fairness Doctrine. Even if every viewpoint agreed with him, they were still providing airtime for diverse viewpoints. And it met the requirements for the *station* - not just his program.
Also, who the fuck had their minds changed by Limbaugh anyway? His callers would open up with “megadittos” and tell him how they agreed with him 100% on everything. Does anyone think if a Proud Boy hears Maddow they become ANTIFA?
Right? Supposedly if they hear the “truth” from the right person, in the right tone, at that right time they will change their minds! But obviously family members are not the “right people”.
There were knobs on the radio. Nobody was captive, and more importantly if there was content that would have sold better, it would have replaced Rush. People wanted what he was selling.
What do you think would happen if an AM station broadcast ACLU-hosted talk shows or documentary on 17th century opera?
You’re mixing up cause and effect. Rural folks trend red and, like everyone, like content that reinforces their beliefs.
You meanif I start a radio station and play 17th Century opera non-stop it is unlikely to convert my local area into giant Monteverdi fans? Damn. There goes my new venture for 2026!
People like to ignore that the Fox News audience has always existed.
They always existed but Fox *absolutely* mainstreamed that shit vs shady poor quality handpress "newsletters" and "newspapers". And gave it polish and glamour and a veneer of legitimacy and a huuuuuge budget.
Oh yeah. But radio and in person events also contributed. Hell, we had whole wars about issues long before cable came along.
Yes. FNC, and their followers, did not create their audience. No one is "brainwashed" or "mind-controlled". They simply found, and served, an audience, and if the audience kept gravitating to more extreme content, the content providers followed the audience.
IOW, right-wing media didn't make your family racist. They always were. Stop giving them excuses.
That's why the solution is you. Not policy, regulation, or law. Those things can and will be used against you. But you? You can call out bullshit when you see it. "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." They weren't kidding.