21 Misleading Statistics (or Proof that Fox News is Full of Crap)

Since we are tasked with discussing misleading statistics and data on this blog, I'd like to take a moment to honor a powerful organization that frequently presents such diatribe in copious amounts:  Fox News Network.  There.  I said it.

While popular with conservatives, Fox News frequently misinforms their viewers through many methods, but their statistics are quite the scandal.

Having had to sit for a Baker Acted resident at my job one evening in 2012 at my former job, I was presented with a long political monologue from the suicidal woman I had had to watch for the next twelve hours on the failing standards of the country underneath the current president, a position I did not value in the least.

While I could not discuss politics with my patients by any means, I ultimately told this woman that I did not agree with a word she said, nor did I believe her hypocrisy of doom that had made her wish to end her own life.

In response to my retort, this woman had turned on the television to my second-least favorite channel (the first one being anything related to ESPN) in an attempt to catch Bill O' Reily in one of his rants about the president and therefore prove her point.  Instead, we were treated to one of the many myriad blonde clones of the channel discussing potential republican candidates for the 2012 presidential race and the blonde anchorwoman was giving a long spiel about supporting Sarah Palin (of all people; I don't know why).

Now my dear reader may be wondering:  Just where are you going with this delightful anecdote?

I shall tell you, my devoted fan.  As the anchor woman finished her rant, she posted a pie chart on the screen detailing the percentage of support for the various hopeful candidates.  Palin's alleged support ranked in at 70%. if you can believe it.

But that's the thing.  It wasn't believable in the least because the other candidates listed:  Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee ranked 60% and 63%, respectively.  Do you see where I am going with this?

For those who haven't caught on, a Pie Chart's maximum can only be 100% and yet the statistics of that graph vastly exceeded that amount.  In fact, the total amount of percentages reached 193% which clearly is not mathematically accurate.

When I pointed out this glaring error to my patient, she had finally shut up, turning off the television embarrassed and proceeded to attempt to take a nap.  Winning is always a pleasant feeling.

That example of the Pie Chart is only one of many ways in which that channel manipulates their data to deceive their viewers.  While Fox News is not the only network committing these sins (I'm watching you CNN), they are quite egregious with their misinformation and the fact that they claim to be honest while simultaneously making these kinds of errors makes them a perfect example for the use of misleading statistics.

Bon Appetite!