Garrett confirms what we already know: Fox “wants to keep” the media polarized

Today on Morning Joe, former Fox News correspondent Major Garrett - who is now with National Journal - offered his insight into some of the internal workings at Fox News. Discussing NPR's firing of Juan Williams and the “polarization of American media,” Garrett stated:

GARRETT: Because of that longstanding relationship with Fox, it was becoming increasingly, I think -- and Juan and I had had some conversations about this -- that NPR was increasingly unhappy with him, because it was getting blowback from some of its listeners about seeing Juan so often on Fox. That speaks to a problem that neither Fox nor NPR can solve, because neither want to solve it, which is the polarization of American media. For a certain amount of marketing points of view, Fox actually wants to keep that polarization and say, look, we're different. We're dramatically different; you can see how we're different. And if you like that difference, you better come over here and you better stay here. That is an embedded part of the marketing that surrounded what happens at the news division at Fox that's been incredibly successful.

Later, Garrett discussed Fox's reported decision to offer Williams a $2 million contract following his firing:

GARRETT: I don't think it's any coincidence that the day it happened he got a huge contract at Fox, and Fox planted a flag in the ground saying he's ours, he's going to stay ours, and if you are outraged, this is where you need to be. That is an embedded part of Roger Ailes' DNA.

Garrett's comments that Fox “wants to keep that polarization” in the media essentially back up what Fox News VP Bill Shine said in March 2009 - that Fox is the “voice of opposition” in the media.