The O'Reilly Factor: The facts

Bill O' Reilly has become synonymous with the Fox News Network with its slant on current affairs and politics. His outspoken views and political values are what make the O'Reilly Factor so popular with its audiences.

The O'Reilly Report

Overview His views are also considered controversial, with its critics denouncing it as nothing more than right-wing propaganda. The O'Reilly Factor first aired as the O'Reilly report in 1996 and premièred in unison with the opening of the new Fox News Network, created by Australian media mogul, Rupert Murdoch. Around 17 million viewers received the network in its early beginnings and it now reaches a far wider audience today, as it is broadcast globally.
The first guest on the O'Reilly Report was General Barry McCaffrey, setting what many saw as a home-front and nationalistic agenda.

The O'Reilly Factor

O'Reilly Factor
In 1998, the show was revamped and renamed the O'Reilly Factor and it still maintains that name today.
Its rigorous approach to political and social issues has made Bill O'Reilly a household name. In its thirteen years, (15 years including the O'Reilly Report era) the show has featured regular guests, with varying views and opinions.
These guests include liberal commentator and actress, Whoopi Goldberg, former Vice-Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin and former CNN anchor, Lou Dobbs.

Bill O'Reilly

About Bill O'Reilly is seen by many as an embodiment of what the Fox News Channel represents, with hard right-wing values, and a forceful manner. He promotes himself as a proud "traditionalist" American, backing it up with the hard-line attitude he conveys towards sensitive issues like abortion, religion and immigration. These earned him the notoriety he enjoys today.
O'Reilly is also no stranger to controversy.
In 2005, he repeatedly referred to a Kansas based physician named George Tiller, who specialised in abortions as "Tiller the Killer." The physician was later murdered by an anti-abortion activist.

Criticism of the O'Reilly Factor

Negative criticism Many of its harshest critics denounce the show as little more than right-wing propaganda and argue that the inflammatory manner with which it handles sensitive issues is not in the interests of the public. O'Reilly himself has been the target of much of this criticism.
In 2004, a film about Fox News called "Outfoxed" was released and paid particular attention to the O'Reilly Factor.
The film highlights the aggressive manner in which O'Reilly handled his guest, Jeremy Glick, who had lost his father in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre.
Final word However, whilst the show has its criticism, it manages to maintain some of the highest ratings in television and since its inception, it has received a number of awards.