Murdoch: Palin not on Fox as journalist

Sarah Palin’s role on Fox News is as a commentator, not a journalist, according to media mogul and Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch. 

Murdoch also said ratings leap whenever the former Alaska governor is on, and “we’re not adverse to high ratings.” 

“I do believe the public wants good, ethical journalism — but they also want to be entertained,” Murdoch said.

The Fox News chief made the comments at the National Press Club on Tuesday night for a taping of the "Kalb Report."

Murdoch said that he is not a Republican nor a conservative, but “maybe a radical.”

He also said he believes in change, and that “sometimes strong change can be good.” 

Murdoch also took on suggestions that Fox is a biased news source.

“There’s no conscious angling of the news,” Murdoch said.

Asked to name a Democrat on his news network, Murdoch paused for a bit before naming Greta Van Susteren.

“Greta Van Susteren is certainly close to the Democratic Party,” he said.

And when it comes to Fox’s rival networks, Fox sets the centrist example, according to Murdoch. Rival networks “tend to be Democrats. Let’s be honest about it,” Murdoch said. 

Murdoch claims The New York Times “clearly has an agenda.” When asked to clarify that agenda, Murdoch replied, “Anything Mr. Obama wants.” 

Murdoch maintains, however, that if Obama were to go through with the education reforms he has talked about so often, Murdoch would definitely support him.