Getting back on topic (more or less). The one advantage CNN has over Fox is that CNN interviews more non-Americans and especially non-American military analysis. Very interesting to watch. (I'm not sure it is ultimately more informative - they don't say that much which is different)
The problem with both CNN and Fox is the same. As 24 hour news they focus on "latest news" to such an extent that the bigger picture gets lost. Further they are more apt to post "breaking news" and then not correct the ideas that arise from incorrect information.
For instance Fox reported that Iman who said the women and children shot in that checkpoint were forced to go. They also reported the AP story interviewing the women which contradicted that story. They never really followed up the Iman story with the AP story.
The problem with the 24 hour shows is that you have to put the pieces together yourself. That can leave the appearance of bias and superficiality. I don't think that fair. However clearly both would benefit from at least one hour focusing in on the bigger picture. CNN is a little better here due to having headline news which spends about 15 minutes doing something like that.
As for why people pick Fox over CNN, Fox tends to get the breaking news before CNN. Further their coverage is more interesting: both in analysis and the stuff they report. I don't think it is particularly "better" or "worse." CNN gets a few more points of view, but I don't think that is necessarily better when they are all saying the same thing.
Overall though neither compares to either CBS or ABC when those stations do analysis. It is deeper and they are willing to spend 20 minutes on one story while Fox and CNN think "in depth" means 4 minutes.
The problem with both CNN and Fox is the same. As 24 hour news they focus on "latest news" to such an extent that the bigger picture gets lost. Further they are more apt to post "breaking news" and then not correct the ideas that arise from incorrect information.
For instance Fox reported that Iman who said the women and children shot in that checkpoint were forced to go. They also reported the AP story interviewing the women which contradicted that story. They never really followed up the Iman story with the AP story.
The problem with the 24 hour shows is that you have to put the pieces together yourself. That can leave the appearance of bias and superficiality. I don't think that fair. However clearly both would benefit from at least one hour focusing in on the bigger picture. CNN is a little better here due to having headline news which spends about 15 minutes doing something like that.
As for why people pick Fox over CNN, Fox tends to get the breaking news before CNN. Further their coverage is more interesting: both in analysis and the stuff they report. I don't think it is particularly "better" or "worse." CNN gets a few more points of view, but I don't think that is necessarily better when they are all saying the same thing.
Overall though neither compares to either CBS or ABC when those stations do analysis. It is deeper and they are willing to spend 20 minutes on one story while Fox and CNN think "in depth" means 4 minutes.