In a Post-Bush World, Will Fox News Matter?

Loved by its right-wing viewers and vilified as a Bush propaganda machine by the left, Fox News established itself as the major news network during the Bush administration. They defined coverage of the Iraq war, for better or worse. It might not be "fair" or "balanced," or even terribly accurate, but that hasn't stopped Fox from being the number one news channel.

Time Magazine has an interesting op-ed about the challenges Fox News faces at the end of the Bush era. James Poniewozik argues that the network will have to redefine itself to stay on top, with Bush leaving office and the Democrats enjoying a surge of support.

Its ratings are still strong, but these days Fox comes off as behind the times. Their shrill rhetoric, exemplified by personalities such as Bill O'Reilly, isn't as acceptable as it used to be, even to their own people. Fox's hawkish jingoism is out of step with today's war-weary national climate, and they can't keep pace with comedians Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert in terms of keeping their viewers informed.