Review of The Factor

The Factor (1996–2017)
10/10
O'Reilly is a Good Journalist, and I'll Tell You Why...
29 December 2006
I'm going to give a fair analysis of Mr. O'Reilly without the name calling, as so many people like to do. I'm going to give facts and examples, like so many people like NOT to do...

Bill O'Reilly is one of the most controversial and possibly one of the most hated journalists in this country. It is his expressed goal to expose controversial situations and people who abuse their power (like the Judge in Vermont who sentenced a child rapist to only 60 days in jail!). This is why he is hated so much: he is not afraid to challenge the people who usually get the media cakewalk.

Agreed, O'Reilly leans to the right. You should also note, that almost every study indicates that electronic and print media lean at least slightly to the left. O'Reilly is hated because he is not afraid to challenge the left, which many other news and media organizations do not do (which is also why Fox News is also hated--it is one of the only networks that leans even slightly to the right).

If you actually watch his show, you will know that he challenges the far-right as well as the far-left: e.g. the far-right ultra-religious zealots who parade around soldiers funerals saying "God Hates Fags" (and subsequently give the average Christian a bad name).

To say he only allows conservatives to speak is ridiculous. Again, if you actually watch the program, you will know that he almost always has both sides present to debate. Most of his guests ARE people he opposes. There are few people, if none, who he refuses to invite onto the program. However, many radicals from both sides decline the invitation; most radicals do not have facts or examples to support their view, and they know Mr. O'Reilly will tear them apart for that.

Bill is cocky and is a loudmouth...and he admits it. He is known for "throwing people off his program" and shouting at people he disagrees with. Once again, if you actually watch the show, you will know that there is more to it than meets the eye. He doesn't simply yell when someone brings up an opposing viewpoint. Most of the people he brings on the program DO oppose him, yet most episodes he doesn't fly into rage like many of you have probably seen on the internet. I have yet to see him kick anyone off his show (although that doesn't mean it hasn't happened).

However, he does get angry when one of his guests begins to make accusations or radical viewpoints without evidence to back it up. That's the "spin" he refers to. When a guest makes a ridiculous claim without then presenting any facts or examples, he gets angry. When someone purposefully dodges a question(s), he gets angry.

He is not "in it" for the Bush administration. Once again, if you actually watch his show instead of relying on what others say, you realize he is actually very critical of Bush and the war in Iraq. He has said countless times on his program that Iraq is a mess and the administration is not doing well. Yet, he is able to be critical without the name-calling and fact-less bashing, as many people seem so fond of doing.

O'Reilly is fiercely hated, no doubt about it. He challenges the ones who never get challenged, and pays a high price for it. He makes mistakes, like all journalists; and when he does, the propagandists pounce all over him. His Achille's tendon is his ego and fierce temper, which he pays a high price for as well.

Bill O'Reilly is a good journalist because he is not afraid to do what most journalists wouldn't dream of doing.

And as always, before you seriously consider my comment or anyone else's, watch the show for yourself and decide for yourself.
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