Date
4-29-2026
Department
School of Communication and the Arts
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (PhD)
Chair
John Dunkle
Keywords
Roger Ailes, political communication, Media Ecology, political discourse
Disciplines
Communication
Recommended Citation
Bowles, Korey A., "Man in the Medium: A Historical Examination of the Life and Work of Roger Ailes in the American Political Arena" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8283.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8283
Abstract
Roger Ailes is one of the most prolific figures in American politics and media of the last 60 or so years. Despite his many contributions and achievements, he remains relatively unknown among the public and underrepresented in the field of communication research. This study uses a critical historical approach to examine the life and influence of Ailes on the American political and media landscapes through his work with Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Bush, and numerous other key political figures, as well as the founding of Fox News Channel. In doing so, this study provides insight into Ailes’ perspective on the ecology of television and how that influences the medium’s use as a tool of communication in American politics. Using Neil Postman’s Media Ecology Theory, this study advances a number of key insights into the modern media environment and its effects on the American political discourse.
