Hemmer has unique view of CNN, Fox

By Diane Holloway
AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Bill Hemmer has looked at life from both sides now — from CNN and Fox News. And he doesn't see a big difference when it comes to political reporting.

"I'm the same journalist I was five or 10 years ago," Hemmer said by phone recently. "My job during the day is straight-up news. Later in the day, you'll find people with serious and significant opinions, but as a reporter, I give a fair and accurate rendering of news of the day. That's my job."

And what of the charge by Fox anchor Chris Wallace that Fox is unfairly criticized for being conservative while MSNBC rarely gets slammed for its liberal slant?

"I believe our competition at MSNBC made a decision on how to program their network, which is different than how we program our network," Hemmer said.

As for differences between Fox and his old stomping ground at CNN, Hemmer said the pace is quicker and the screen is busier at Fox. The unapologetic goal at Fox is to attract and keep viewers.

"(Fox News president) Roger Ailes makes no bones about the fact that we're a business," Hemmer said. "And as we strive for great journalism, we also recognize that we need customers in the store."

After switching from CNN to Fox in 2005, Hemmer anchored Fox's morning program "America's Newsroom." He also analyzes poll and election night returns on the giant touch-screen dubbed "The Bill Board," after its meister. It's a similar high-tech toy to CNN's "magic wall" — but bigger.

"It's a living, breathing, walking, talking iPhone," Hemmer said. "It's 113 inches in diameter." CNN's screen is 81 inches.

During his decade with CNN, Hemmer, 43, relished covering politics and looks forward to the upcoming conventions.

"I really enjoy these big events," he said with boyish enthusiasm. "Historically the campaigns will try and control the message as best they possibly can. The campaigns hope there won't be any surprises. Reporters, of course, hope there will be."

And will the heated interest in primary season carry over to the conventions?

"I think so," Hemmer said. "This is a very important election. There's an open seat in the White House, and the viewer/voter is still evaluating. That's why they watch. They're trying to figure out if they're more comfortable with Barack Obama or John McCain."

— Diane Holloway