cover of episode The Presidential Election That Put Fox News On the Map

The Presidential Election That Put Fox News On the Map

2024/10/11
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On the Media

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Fox News, initially seen as inept, gained significant influence during the 2000 election. Its coverage, though controversial, captivated the nation and solidified its position in the media landscape.
  • Fox News' first election night coverage in 1996 was a disaster.
  • The network's coverage of the 2000 election, including calling Florida for Bush before other networks, was pivotal.
  • The network's future is uncertain due to its relationship with Donald Trump and the Murdoch family succession drama.

Shownotes Transcript

When Fox News launched in 1996, critics joked about its incompetence. But just a few years later, the network proved itself to be a political force. On this week’s On the Media, hear how Fox News rose to power during the election of 2000. 

Hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger introduce Slow Burn’s) host Josh Levin). Levin spoke with the hosts, reporters, and producers who built Fox News, many who’ve never spoken publicly before. And you’ll hear from Fox’s victims, who are still coming to terms with how the channel upended their lives.Further reading / listening:

  • Slow Burn: The Rise of Fox News - SEASON 10)
  • Crazy Like a FOX: The Inside Story of How Fox News Beat CNN, by Scott. Collins
  • Murdoch’s World: The Last of the Old Media Empires, by David Folkenflik 
  • How to Steal an Election: The Inside Story of How George Bush’s Brother and FOX Network Miscalled the 2000 Election and Changed the Course of History, by David W. Moore
  • The Loudest Voice in the Room: How the Brilliant, Bombastic Roger Ailes Built Fox News-and Divided a Country, by Gabriel Sherman

*A portion of this episode originally aired on our September 25, 2024 podcast, *OTM Presents Ep. 1 of Slow Burn's The Rise of Fox News: We Report. You Can Suck It)

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