Fox News vice president says 'diversity is not necessarily a strength'

[Roland99]

http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/In_interview_Fox_News_vice_president_0424.html

RAW STORY found this nugget in an interview conducted by Rory O'Connor for Alternet, in which O'Connor interviewed John Moody, senior vice president, news editorial, for FOX News.
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After an hour and a half, the interview was drawing to a close, but Moody graciously hung in for more. I inquired about ways he thought FOX News could "increase the variety of perspectives and opinions" in its news shows. Moody surprised me, responding, "Diversity is not necessarily a strength.

"There is a cut off point of adding people somewhere," he continued. "The opinions presented on our network represent a fair spectrum of responsible thought on major topics. Take the Duke lacrosse story -- suppose there's someone who believes that rape is good. We could put them on the air, but it wouldn't add to the discussion. So diversity of opinion isn't the only issue. It's good, but only up to a point. Within the confines of informed and responsible opinion, we do fairly well."

In the end, Moody seemed to indicate that the opinions that count the most -- in the cable news business at least -- are those of the viewers holding the remote controllers

..."I'm willing to listen to the audience and consider what they say. I don't turn a blind eye to criticism," he said. "But a respectable number of our viewers actually like what we do! Is there room for improvement? Yes. Do the Yankees occasionally lose? Yes. Does the manager make wrong decisions? Yes. But he can't react to every question raised about them. If viewers question why I did what I did, the answer is, 'Because I thought I was doing the right thing!'"

...

What a moran.

[Mz Pip]

1. Bush's cabinet

proves the point. Diversity of ethnicity does not mean diversity of opinion. Bush has surrounded himself with yes men and syncophants. THere mey be some ethnic diversity there but that hasn't made it a good thing.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Atman]

2. Yeah, like, suppose someone thinks wiretapping Americans is a bad thing?

I mean, what would be gained by allowing him to air his opinion?

And, and, what if some clown came on and wanted to discuss Jeff Gannon being given a pass to the White House? How would it help the discourse if Hannity wasn't able to shout him down?

And, what if someone disagreed with Bill O'Reilly about falafel sex? Who would benefit if Bill didn't tell that person to shut up, and then hang up on him?

I mean, come on man! Fair and balanced is so much more than a slogan. It's a trademark, too!

[BootinUp]

3. "suppose there's someone who believes...."

What a great bs line. It can be used in so many variations, every one of them a bs rational.

[Initech]

4. Yeah, and having one party control all three branches...

the media, the military, goverment agencies, and the churches *IS* a strength?

Get a fucking clue, Fox.