The Journalist-Entertainer Debate: Sean Hannity and Shepard Smith

Sean Hannity tweeted, "I'm not a journalist jackass. I'm a talk host." However, he was criticized by Shepard Smith for calling him an entertainer. This sparks a debate: is Hannity a journalist, an entertainer, or both?

Audio-Style Comparisons: Hannity and Roosevelt

In a similar vein, Hannity's position on journalism is akin to how "Hannity" is to "journalism." Much like how "Comrade Trump" appropriates the presidency, Hannity's work is a continuous emission of effluent. Shepard Smith's description, while accurate, may seem to stretch the definition of entertainment. However, Hannity's show is designed to be a test of endurance and sanity, a place where cognitive dissipation is the ultimate goal.

Entertainment vs. Journalistic Integrity

Hannity claims to be a journalist, researching and commenting on stories. Yet, his show is clearly an exercise in entertainment. Hannity bashes Shepard Smith for labeling his show merely entertaining, demonstrating that the line between journalism and entertainment is often blurred. This shows that Hannity's show is more about pushing the audience to their limits, rather than delivering factual news.

The False Dichotomy: Entertainment and Journalistic Commentary

There is a common misconception that political commentary must either be purely entertainment or genuine journalism. However, political commentary, like Hanity's, can serve both purposes. While it may involve editorializing, it does not rise to the level of professional journalism. Hannity's show is an example of this: it is purely about delivering an opinion and engaging the audience in a specific way, rather than reporting the day’s news.

Hannity's True Role - An Entertainer or a Journalist?

Hannity is not a journalist in the traditional sense. He works for Fox Entertainment, and his show is centered around entertainment and opinion. Fox News, like other major networks, is a business that provides entertainment and viewpoints. Hannity's show, along with Laura Ingraham's and Judge Mathis's, are all examples of entertainment and opinion programming. These are not journalistic entities; they are designed to engage viewers with specific viewpoints.

Journalism vs. Commentary: A Clear Line or Blurred?

Shep Smith and Chris Wallace, in contrast, are actual journalists who prioritize facts over entertaining opinions. Hannity's role as a commentator, who voices opinions on selected news, is different from the role of a journalist who reports the news daily. Hannity's show is Maddow's opposite - while Rachel Maddow reports the news, Hannity offers an opinion-driven commentary.

In conclusion, regardless of Sean Hannity's belief that he is a journalist, the reality is that his show is not news reporting but entertainment and opinion-sharing. Hannity's criticism of Shepard Smith only highlights the dual nature of his role. Whether he likes it or not, he is an entertainer, not a journalist, as his programming falls firmly within the realm of opinion and entertainment.