Let’s face it: No single entity has done as much damage to political discourse or spread the style of paranoid, xenophobic populism as has Fox. It incessantly pushed birtherism, kept up a drumbeat of negative propaganda about immigrants, followed nutty conspiracy theories (e.g. Seth Rich’s death) and most of all set out to destroy media outlets that were legitimately trying to cover reality and the Trump presidency.

AD

AD

Fox News has become a no-hard-questions zone for President Trump. Bound and determined to create a parallel reality, it covers ludicrous, trumped-up (pun intended) “scandals” involving Hillary Clinton instead of the real ones involving Trump. It has ceased to act in the public interest, preferring to act in the White House’s interest. Fox News has become so divorced from reality that it largely ignored the GOP’s Virginia debacle, the biggest political news story of 2017 (aside from the Russia scandal).

Imagine a Fox News that had a robust news operation that stopped looking to indict Clinton and, instead, covered major developments even if they didn’t help Trump. Imagine if the panels on news shows contained intellectually honest conservatives (e.g. George Will, Bill Kristol), not cartoonish propagandists (Laura Ingraham). Imagine if every show, opinion or news, had to stick to the facts and abide by the same journalistic standards other news outlets adhere to. Marvel at the possibility of getting rid of the Fox “look” for female journalists (blond hair; excessive makeup; solid, brightly colored dress, often sleeveless; plenty of leg shots) and hiring the best and most knowledgeable journalists, regardless of age or appearance.

Surely there is a tech company or cable mogul willing to take on the project of making Fox great again. C’mon, Google, Verizon, Comcast, Facebook and the rest. Your company would enjoy massive goodwill and the thanks of Democrats, independents and reality-based Republicans. Maybe it would be a tad less profitable, but who knows? Fox’s audience averages 68 years old — not a demographic you want depend on for the long haul. Fox could even go young — Millennial News! There might be an appetite for straight news and conservative but intelligent commentary. There might even be viewers who have not yet reached retirement age who’d like to see smart banter.

AD

AD

The buzz and excitement from a grateful public would be the type of free advertising some companies can only dream of. By cleaning house, a new owner would once and for all put an end to the hostile work environment that has cost Fox millions in legal fees and damages and public condemnation.