Slow Burn Podcast Episode Summary Title: The Rise of Fox News | Episode 1: We Report. You Can Suck It
Host: Josh Levine
Release Date: September 18, 2024
Podcast Series: Slow Burn, Season 10

1. Introduction to Fox News' Early Days

In the inaugural episode of Slow Burn’s 10th season, host Josh Levine delves into the tumultuous beginnings of the Fox News Channel, a pivotal moment in American media and political history. This episode, titled "We Report. You Can Suck It," recounts Fox News' rise from obscurity to a dominant force in cable news, focusing on key events between 2000 and 2004 that cemented its influence.

2. Mike Schneider and the 1996 Election Night Debacle

The story begins in November 1996 with Mike Schneider, an experienced journalist preparing to anchor a significant election night broadcast for the newly launched Fox News Channel. Despite his credentials from major networks like ABC and NBC, Schneider's presence on Fox went largely unnoticed due to limited cable distribution.

Notable Quote:
Mike Schneider reflects on his approach to journalism:
"Be honest, be fair, don't be boring, but don't hype anything up. Just go tell the story."
(00:56)

Schneider was cautiously optimistic when Roger Ailes, Fox News' chairman and CEO, personally recruited him to lead the evening newscast, emphasizing Schneider's reputation for fairness (02:06). However, the 1996 election night turned into a fiasco with technical difficulties disrupting the live broadcast.

Notable Incident:
Schneider’s frustration with the production team led him to physically remove a non-responsive phone from the set, symbolizing his dissatisfaction with the behind-the-scenes chaos.
(04:13)

3. Building the Fox News Team

Following the 1996 debacle, Fox News worked diligently to establish itself as a credible news source. By 2000, the channel had expanded its reach nationwide and revamped its presentation style with dynamic graphics and sound effects, setting the stage for the pivotal 2000 presidential election.

Key figures like Caroline Bruner, Jim Mills, and Anne McGinn emerged as dedicated Fox News staffers who believed in the channel's mission of delivering hard news without overt ideological bias. They operated in a flexible, non-union environment that allowed for rapid changes and innovative storytelling.

Notable Quote:
Jim Mills describes the culture at Fox News:
"It's going to be kick ass and I want to be part of it. I needed to be the guy they hired for Capitol Hill."
(12:09)

4. The 2000 Presidential Election and the DUI Scandal

As the 2000 election approached, Fox News positioned itself to play a significant role in the coverage of one of the tightest presidential races in history. A critical moment arose when Tom Connolly, a Democratic attorney and activist, discovered a previously undisclosed DUI conviction of Republican candidate George W. Bush from 1976.

Notable Quote:
Tom Connolly recounts his confrontation with Bush:
"So I yelled, you big wiener. And he yelled back at me, 'Who you calling wiener boy?'"
(17:55)

Connolly's revelation threatened to change the dynamics of the election, especially as it coincided with the intense media scrutiny on election night.

5. John Ellis and the Decision Desk Controversy

A central figure in the election night coverage was John Ellis, George W. Bush's first cousin, who ran Fox News' decision desk. Ellis was responsible for making live projections about election results, a role that placed him at the heart of the controversy when Fox News prematurely called Florida for Bush at 2:16 AM Eastern Time, hours before other networks.

Notable Quote:
Jane Mayer, author of the critical New Yorker piece on Ellis, highlights the conflict of interest:
"He's too biased to write an opinion column, but he's somehow hireable to make some of the most important news decisions at the Fox News Channel. I don't see how that quite works out."
(40:27)

6. Election Night Chaos and Call to Bush

On election night, Fox News' premature call led to widespread confusion and influenced other networks to follow suit, resulting in a cascade of early projections that ultimately contributed to the disputed outcome. The channel's simultaneous shift from calling Florida for Gore to for Bush underscored the flaws in their decision-making process.

Notable Quote:
Josh Levine assesses the situation:
"It was totally nuts for Fox News to put John Ellis in charge of its decision desk. It was also nuts for Ellis not to recuse himself and to be chatting it up with George and Jeb Bush all night."
(45:35)

7. Aftermath and Fox News' Transformation

The fallout from the 2000 election debacle forced Fox News to re-evaluate its practices. Roger Ailes publicly apologized, attributing the errors to flawed data from Voter News Service, yet the incident raised significant concerns about Fox News' journalistic integrity and impartiality.

Notable Quote:
Roger Ailes offers an apology:
"Our lengthy and critical self-examination shows that we let our viewers down. I apologize for making those bad projections that night. It will not happen again."
(46:50)

Despite the turmoil, the incident inadvertently boosted Fox News' popularity, especially among conservative viewers who saw the channel as a fair alternative to the mainstream media.

8. Reactions and Cultural Impact

The 2000 election night debacle solidified Fox News' reputation as a formidable player in the media landscape. The network's ability to attract a loyal audience grew exponentially, setting the stage for its future influence on American politics and culture. Critics, including prominent figures like Jon Stewart, began to view Fox News as a central antagonist in the media ecosystem, further polarizing public opinion.

Notable Quote:
Jon Stewart reflects on the impact:
"That was sort of the beginning of the Democratic axiom that Fox News is the axis of all evil."
(47:50)

Conclusion

This episode of Slow Burn meticulously chronicles the early challenges and strategic maneuvers that propelled Fox News from a struggling new channel to a powerhouse in American media. Through firsthand accounts, notable quotes, and critical analysis, Josh Levine underscores how pivotal moments, particularly the 2000 election, shaped the trajectory of both Fox News and the broader political landscape.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Be honest, be fair, don't be boring, but don't hype anything up. Just go tell the story." – Mike Schneider (00:56)

• "If they really wanted to do this and they really wanted to do it right, I felt, okay, let's see where they want to take this thing. And then we're off to the races." – Mike Schneider (02:13)

• "And I said, I don't give a good God fuck who you are. You are not going to kick a garbage can at my head." – Bill (08:21)

• "Here we were like scrappy little fighters and we're gonna take them down." – Tom Connolly (08:37)

• "Are you fucking sure? And I said, I'm fucking sure and I gotta go." – Bill (33:37)

This structured summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode, capturing key events, personal accounts, and the significant impact Fox News had on American media and politics during its formative years.