Fox News has recently been flooded with medical articles, including many about erectile dysfunction (ED). Since the topic of ED is relevant to so many people, let’s look at how Fox News presents the topic.
Op-Eds And Letters To The Editor
The most prominent display of ED on Fox News is found in opinionated editorials and letters to the editor. For example, Megyn Kelly has written two editorials about ED. One in September of 2018 and another in April of 2019. Additionally, Fox commentator Andrew Napolitano has written about the dangers of ED medication in his 2018 New Year’s resolution.
Additionally, during the pandemic, Fox News has published numerous editorials and letters to the editor about the topic of ED. For example, columnist Jane McManus penned an op-ed in favor of increased awareness about the condition. She wrote,
“While the world focuses on the urgent need to treat Covid-19, millions of men are struggling with a condition that affects them as much – if not more – than the pandemic: erectile dysfunction. ED is the inability to achieve or maintain an erect penis suitable for sexual intercourse. It’s a problem that plagues men of all races and social classes, but it’s most prevalent in the elderly. Sadly, it’s a problem that can be avoided. If we raise awareness about this issue, we can help many men lead better lives.”
The flood of editorials and letters to the editor indicates that Fox News considers ED to be a significant issue. Additionally, it suggests that the public is interested in the topic as well.
Medical Experts’ Opinions
To back up Kelly’s and Napolitano’s editorial comments (and perhaps to suggest a more scholarly tone), various medical experts have published opinion pieces in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. The general consensus from these articles is that ED is a widespread problem, particularly among older men, and that it can be detrimental to the quality of men’s lives. Further, the experts state that there is no known cause of ED and it is often treated with medication (including Viagra).
On the bright side, many of the experts say that there are promising developments in the field of ED treatment, including the use of certain supplements and medications. Additionally, some men with ED are able to have successful orgasms thanks to innovative penis enlargement surgery. Finally, it is crucial to note that many cases of ED can be traced to a poor diet and lack of exercise – which are both easily correctable issues. Given these facts, there is much to be thankful for in terms of ED awareness.
Calls To Action
Overall, it’s clear that Fox News is encouraging men to be mindful of ED and take appropriate action if they experience any symptoms. Based on this, it’s only fair to say that the channel has done a lot of good in terms of spreading ED awareness. However, it’s also important to point out that Fox News has an obligation to be as objective as possible when discussing medical issues. In other words, the channel must refrain from taking a position on particular subjects (even when these subjects pertain to something as personal as ED) and must present both sides of an issue.
One example of Fox News presenting both sides of an issue is the recent Bill Sutter Special. The one-hour episode focused on men’s health and included interviews with leading experts. The takeaway message is that there is no such thing as ‘perfect health’ and men should be wary of any medical practice that promises to allow them to have ‘perfect’ erections. Sutter also mentioned that there are various factors that might contribute to a man’s apparent lack of interest in having sex – including anxiety, depression, and poor health.
To sum up, Fox News has recently taken a keen interest in men’s health, particularly in terms of ED. This interest can probably be attributed to the fact that the channel is aware that many men are struggling with the condition. For this reason, it has published numerous editorial pieces and letters to the editor – as well as a daily dose of tweets focused on men’s health.
It’s also important to remember that much of the information that we get about health and medicine is presented to us via advertising. This means that even though Fox News is doing a good job of raising awareness about men’s health, we must keep in mind that these articles (including this one) might be promoting a product or service that they (the articles) are ostensibly criticizing.