I work at Human Events, so you gotta know I like Fox News. And I do - I like the morning team and how silly they are and I faithfully catch The O'Reilly Factor and more often than not pull in a little Hannity and Colmes. The more hardcore news shows, like those with John Gibson or Brit Hume are also nicely put together.

But I just read about Bernard Shaw, a former, longtime anchor on CNN. He's kind of upset that Fox News is so ahead in the ratings and that CNN is adopting slight techniques that Fox uses in order to keep up. CNN certainly plays into the many problems of the MSM, but I do find myself drawn to it at times -- precisely because of something Shaw and another colleague today pointed out: less bells and whistles -- if you will -- and more straight talking news.

Shaw basically said that Fox wins because they have commentary and analysis more than news reporting. Any 24-hour news station must have both but it does seem like Fox implements a lot more of it -- making their network more entertaining and so the regular folks find themselves drawn to it. The bright blue signature colors are enticing. When I watch CNN, it seems more gray and less fun.

The times are always a-changin' so maybe Fox News has it right but for a journalist, there's something magical about old fashioned news reporting that you rarely see today. When I watch old movies or media broadcasts, I'm struck by the no frills, hard talkin' reporting relayed on the screen. I still find importance in holding a newspaper, folding the backside, coming away with ink on my fingers. I still like to listen to the reports instead of clicking or recapping with pop ups on the screen.

From a hardcore Fox News girl -- I'm giving it up (this once) for CNN.

UPDATE: Okay, so I still stand by what I said BUT, I feel obligated to link you to my friends at Newsbusters regarding this Mr. Shaw. He may have a point but he wasn't so anti-opinion and analysis himself when he was reporting. Check out the Newsbusters link for a line up of examples. Also, as NB notes, he praises Lou Dobbs of CNN -- not exactly the epitome of his "straight news" platform.