Talk:Fox News Channel/FAQ
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Please note that this FAQ is presented solely to summarize previous discussion and consensus. It is no way an attempt to state that text below has been officially endorsed by the Wikimedia Foundation or is official policy of Wikipedia.
Many editors raise concerns regarding the wording of the introduction of the Fox News Channel article. Many editors have participated in a substantial amount of editorial review to arrive at a consensus version. If you are concerned with the introduction, please read the following and see if your concern has already been addressed. If you are unsure, please feel free to ask for clarification! After reviewing the following if you feel your concern has not been addressed by prior discussion, or that an important factor may have been overlooked, feel free to make additional comment on the talk page.
- Concern: The introduction mentions alleged bias or other controversial information.
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- WP:LEAD - The lead should be capable of standing alone as a concise overview of the article, establishing context, explaining why the subject is interesting or notable, and briefly describing its notable controversies. Appropriate to overview the controversies / allegations of bias.
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- Concern: The introduction uses weasel words by referencing "critics" and "some observers".
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- WP:NPOV (Undue weight clause) - Critics are sufficiently numerous that elevating a single critic or source gives it undue weight. The criticism is verifiable within the article itself; individual critics (or groups of critics) are not appropriate in the introduction (see WP:LEAD and the exceptions to WP:WEASEL).
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- Concern: The introduction mentions allegations of conservative bias but I've seen studies that say FoxNews is centrist and/or liberal. Shouldn't these viewpoints be mentioned in the lead as well?
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- Although there are studies with various viewpoints on Fox, for the lead we are restricted to only note the major controversy, i.e. the conservative bias, and the fact that this viewpoint has detractors. The lead should only briefly summarize the notable controversies. The notability of this particular controversy is measured by studies, documentaries, films, boycotts from influential persons based on the perception of bias, and numerous pop culture references to the alleged conservative bias. No other viewpoint has gained as much currency, and therefore including them in the lead would violate WP:FRINGE; WP:NPOV and WP:LEAD. Please note that WP:FRINGE is the name of the guideline that covers viewpoints which are outside of the mainstream, and is not meant to characterize other less popular viewpoints as fringe theories.
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- Concern: Is there any proof that Fox News is biased as the lead implies?
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- The introduction takes no position on whether the Fox News Channel is biased. It's only point is to highlight that a notable controversy concerning the network is the perception that it promotes conservative political positions. The lead takes no position on whether such a perception is in fact accurate. Taking a position on this issue would violate WP:NPOV.
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