Chapter 1: The Phrase That Echoes in Right-Wing Media

In the realm of broadcasting, especially within right-wing media circles, the phrase “people are saying…” has become a frequent refrain. This is particularly evident in outlets like Fox News. The irony is that Fox has defended itself in court by claiming its well-paid commentators are entertainers rather than journalists, asserting that viewers should recognize they are sharing personal opinions, not objective truths.

Before August 2016, Fox News branded itself as “Fair and Balanced.” This changed to “Most Watched, Most Trusted,” and later, in March 2018, they launched a campaign with the slogan “Real News. Real Honest Opinion.” This campaign aimed to promote their opinion-driven programming while countering the “fake news” narrative. By mid-November 2020, post-election, they rebranded again to “Standing Up For What’s Right” to support their primetime content.

It seems that some individuals, perhaps those with legal backgrounds, assert that much of what airs on Fox is not news at all. Instead, it resembles inflammatory rhetoric aimed at fascists, white supremacists, and Trump supporters. At least, that’s the consensus among critics.

The phrase “people are saying…” originated as a talking point for the political right, regardless of the topic. It serves as a mechanism to elevate a questionable personal opinion into a faux news narrative with an air of authority.

“People are saying…”

What follows is often a claim designed to persuade or manipulate public perception, cloaked in the guise of collective sentiment. The notion that widespread belief lends credibility is a powerful tool, even when the “people” being referenced might just be one individual.

If I can frame my eccentric idea as a reflection of public sentiment, I can masquerade it as newsworthy information rather than just my unsubstantiated opinion. Sadly, Fox News isn’t the only outlet engaging in this practice; they just happen to be the most blatant. Much of political commentary is presented as news rather than editorial content. Rather than simply expressing an opinion on issues like Biden’s troop withdrawal from Afghanistan or the handling of COVID-19, headlines often imply that these decisions impact Biden’s approval ratings.

“Will Biden’s Decision to _____________, Hurt the Democrats in the Midterms?” This is an opinion piece at its core, yet it gets framed as news when it includes interviews with various individuals. This method creates a self-fulfilling narrative. Reporting hypotheticals as news misleads readers into thinking there is evidence backing these claims.

Often, what is labeled as news is merely journalists interviewing one another. If Fox News questions the wisdom of administration actions, is that genuine news, or just the broadcasting of partisan talking points? When repeated incessantly, these narratives can shape public perception and influence thought processes. Combine this with social media algorithms, and soon it seems like the only thing being discussed.

Unattributed sources can assert anything, lending an illusion of credibility to their claims. In the case of Tucker Carlson from Fox News, he may claim to be “just asking questions,” yet these questions often lead to conclusions that support a specific worldview. The underlying baselessness of these accusations is obscured by this façade.

It's crucial for us to remain alert against opinions masquerading as news or facts. While we might find ourselves agreeing with certain viewpoints, we must resist the urge to let confirmation bias reinforce our beliefs based on someone else's groundless assertions.

Just because a majority subscribes to a belief does not render it moral, true, or accurate. It merely indicates that many have been convinced by a specific narrative. For example, two in five Americans believe in ghosts, 54% of Republicans think demons exist, and a third of Americans are convinced extraterrestrial beings visit Earth regularly.

This doesn't imply that all media or institutions should be distrusted. It's essential to differentiate between skepticism toward all authoritative sources and discerning the validity of what we hear. We shouldn't dismiss everything outright; instead, we must evaluate the credibility of our information sources. Is it a reputable news organization with ethical standards, or merely the unfounded rants of a fringe blogger?

Critical thinking entails understanding motivations and human behavior. Established media organizations are generally held to higher standards of fact-checking compared to random individuals with agendas. They face repercussions for disseminating false information, unless they are complicit with those they report on, in which case it becomes a matter of public relations collusion or propaganda.

The anti-intellectual stance adopted by the Republican Party under Trump has attempted to undermine trust in expert knowledge and responsible journalism. This manipulation distorts the validity of facts, allowing them to evade responsibility and accountability.

The phrase “do your own research” has emerged as a mantra for dismissing expert opinions in favor of personal beliefs. In today’s chaotic digital landscape, anyone can publish content that appears rational and credible. Without accountability, it becomes mere opinion, leading to rampant disinformation. After all, people are saying—well, they can say whatever they want, can’t they?

As Lou Reed famously advised, “They say things are done for the majority. Don’t believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. It’s like what my painter friend Donald said to me, ‘Stick a fork in their ass and turn ’em over, they’re done.’”

Chapter 2: The Role of Media in Shaping Public Opinion

In this video, Pat McAfee shares his thoughts on the ongoing quarterback situation at Texas, emphasizing the opinions surrounding the matter.

This clip features President Donald Trump discussing the events in Charlottesville, where he famously stated there were "very fine people on both sides," revealing the complexities of public perception in politics.