Veteran Journalist Chris Wallace Discusses Political Reporting and Media Landscape Changes

Veteran journalist Chris Wallace recently shared insights on the evolution of the media landscape and his departure from Fox News during an interview on Mediaite’s Press Club. With a career spanning five decades, Wallace has held prominent positions at major networks such as ABC, NBC, and Fox News before moving to CNN in 2021.

Speaking with Mediaite editor-in-chief Aidan McLaughlin, Wallace addressed the circumstances that led to his decision to leave Fox News. “I had no problem with conservative opinion any more than I do with liberal opinion,” Wallace stated. “But what I do have a problem with is conspiracy and lies. The truth is non-negotiable.” This sentiment came in light of the network promoting former President Donald Trump‘s claims of a stolen election, which contributed to the January 6 Capitol riot and a significant $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems.

Wallace also discussed his new role at CNN, where he hosts two shows, and how he has approached the medium differently by covering a range of topics beyond politics. Wallace noted, “Here’s an election that may really have been stolen, and the loser says, I am not going to contest because it would be a bad thing for America,” referencing historical events in his latest book about the 1960 presidential race between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

Delving into the challenges of political journalism today, Wallace lamented the increase in opinion-driven news coverage and shared his concern about the audience’s influence on media organizations. “I feel like we, and I mean the media writ large, may have created the problem because we anticipated a market and we went for it,” Wallace commented.

Despite these challenges, Wallace maintains optimism for straightforward journalism, stating, “I’m still here and that’s my brand. I’m doing fine.” He emphasized the importance of network integrity, highlighting CNN’s extensive resources and capabilities as its strengths, particularly in covering global affairs.

Alluding to his plans for covering future events, Wallace expressed concern over potential claims of electoral interference in the 2024 presidential race, especially given previous challenges in conveying election truths to the public. “I’m certainly concerned about the possibility of that happening,” Wallace acknowledged.

The discussion also touched on Wallace’s book “Countdown 1960,” comparing the 1960 and 2020 elections in terms of contested results. Wallace characterized Nixon’s decision not to contest the 1960 election as a responsible choice given the Cold War context, questioning if similar responsibility would be observed today.

Reflecting on media practices, Wallace defended the traditional role of debate moderators, emphasizing impartiality and caution against excessive fact-checking during debates, citing challenges in maintaining neutrality.