NEW YORK — FOX News, the renowned bastion of conservative viewpoints, unintentionally met their “fair and balance” reporting standard after what insiders are calling a “clerical error” left the network’s usual spin machine temporarily malfunctioning.
The incident occurred when an intern, who shall remain anonymous for their own safety, accidentally uploaded a series of news segments without the usual injection of partisan rhetoric. This resulted in an unintended consequence: honest, impartial information.
“We were just as surprised as anyone,” said FOX Corporation founder Rupert Murdoch. “We pride ourselves on our ability to shape the news to fit our perception, and this was an unexpected lapse into objectivity. We hope not to repeat it.”
Viewers accustomed to the network’s signature blend of fear-mongering and cherry-picked facts were left baffled by the sudden outbreak of journalistic integrity.
“I turned on FOX expecting to hear about how the liberal agenda is destroying America,” said Mildred Smith, a retired schoolteacher and avid FOX News viewer. “But instead, they were presenting multiple viewpoints and fact-checked stories. It was… disorienting.”
Conservative commentators, who rely on FOX News to reinforce their worldview, were equally bewildered by the network’s accidental commitment to journalistic standards.
“I nearly spilled my latte when I saw Shepard Smith politely but firmly questioning the administration’s policies,” said Chad Thunderhawk, host of the popular podcast “The Truth (As We See It).” “I mean, what happened to blindly toeing the party line with unhinged fury?”
The incident has sparked speculation among media analysts about the possibility of FOX News permanently adopting fair and balanced reporting. However, network executives were quick to dismiss such rumors.
“We apologize for any confusion caused by this regrettable oversight,” said Murdoch. “Rest assured, we are taking steps to ensure that such an egregious display of journalistic integrity never happens again.”