This is the new CNN: More news, less debate

[dubyaD40web]

CNN announced a slate of programming and anchor changes Monday intended to refocus the No. 2 cable news network on hard news and analysis, and away from opinion and talk.

CNN chief Jon Klein, who took over in November, says the changes are not meant to directly counter Fox News Channel, which continues to trounce onetime ratings leader CNN, now marking its 25th year.

"There are many tactical things we could do to try to beat Fox, but we're trying to be ourselves: Roll up our sleeves and report the news, don't talk about it," Klein says.

News analyst Andrew Tyndall says that in making the changes, CNN chose to "counterprogram against Fox rather than compete."

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-06-06-cnn-hemmer_x.htm

[xultar]

1. OK when are they going to start reporting the news? I'm waiting.

Ahem?
Tick-a-fuckin Toc?
Hello?
News you say?
I'll hold my breath.
Wait, I don't wanna die.
I won't hold my breath.

[Richardo]

8. 'Tick-a-fuckin Toc'

HAHAHAHAHAHA :rofl:

[shadowknows69]

49. I seem to be laughing maniacally for some reason

is that the first stage of society driven madness? Is there a head doctor in the house? Can I have a Xanax or two please?

[peacetalksforall]

16. No changes matter if the news is managed.

The only way they can redeem themselves is if they cover it all.

Everyone says their news going out to the world is very different from the news we get? Which version will we get?

They could just build the spin into the news.

They are not to be trusted.

[johnnyrocket]

57. CNN will report news, when MTV starts playing videos...

heh.

[Warpy]

2. Well, gee whiz, being another lying conservative mouthpiece

didn't woo viewers away from the real thing. What a shock. Now if the DNC will only catch a clue.

[Don Claybrook]

3. Could it actually be true?

This seems like too much to hope for. And when they say they want to report "news", are they talking about real news or about Micheal Jackson et al?

[livetohike]

4. Maybe they are taking Ted Turner's advice

:shrug:

Let's see how many puff pieces they still include.

[Teaser]

5. Well...maybe things are looking up.

God knows I think they're lying. But I suppose I've got to give it a chance.

[meegbear]

6. A 24 hour news channel dediciated to news only?

What's the use in watching?

[Beetwasher]

7. More Propoganda, Less Thinking

We do what the WH tell's us to and you lap it up like a good citizen!

[me b zola]

12. hmm

This could mean that they intend to read more of the pre-prepared statements from the Pentagon & the WH, and that propaganda is supposed to pass for news.


I just don't know what to think about this story, however, since their lead story continues to be MJ or the missing young woman in Aruba, I have to agree with the poster up-thread...tic-a-fucking-toc..
I'm still waiting for them to report ANY news

[zipplewrath]

35. The "Old" CNN

When I first started watching CNN about 25 years ago, I called it "press release news". If you said it, they'd put it on the air. They questioned nothing, and near as I could tell they didn't particularly fact check either. They were so hungry for content, they'd put anyone in front of a camera.

If they truly try to go back to more "content" they're gonna have to figure out how to get it at a price they can afford. And it is not clear to me they can. Depth takes time, breadth takes time, and time is money. The reason "if it bleeds, it leads" at your local affiliate is because it's "one stop shopping" for news. You can send anyone out there with a camera and a microphone. You'll have images of the crime scene, a victim, a cop, the neighbor, and flashing lights all in one place. No work required other than to tape it all. Not many news stories, other than court cases of celebrities that offer that kind of packaging. Once you have stories that require reporters to actually run around and get news and information from multiple sources over a period of hours and days, you'll have trouble filling up a broadcast, especially 24 hours worth. It's why newspapers use wire services. No one can afford to have that many reporters out there creating content. It's why natural disasters are popular on TV. No investigation required.

[saigon68]

17. Lap-dogs for the NEOCONS

The US sheep are up this morning and praising their leaders every word.

[Judi Lynn]

18. Just found this photo. Wish it said "CNN."

What high hopes we all had for CNN when it first appeared. What a pathetic disappointment.

[xultar]

21. It was great until Ted Turner sold it.

[saigon68]

43. Sweet LOL

[quiet.american]

9. Well, at least it's something.

At least they're not offering Michael Weiner his own show.

[Rainscents]

10. Please wake me up when they start reporting news.

I will than, maybe get the cable hook up again.

[Judi Lynn]

11. They just ran that goddawful hour glorifying the elder Bush's WWII

experiences, for the millionth time last Sunday. I've never seen more than 30 seconds of it: as long as it takes me to get from whatever room I'm in to the remote control.

WHY on earth would they be shoving the PNACkers down our throats 24/7 with such inmistakeable, grim determination?

If they EVER back away from all right-wing propaganda all the time, I'll crawl on my knees to Atlanta or whatever town they call home.

It's enough to make the saints weep.

[Norquist Nemesis]

13. So will Daryn have to name her source(s)?

As soon as they get people who are journalists that practice eliminating the bias, I'll watch more. I don't doubt for a minute that Limbaugh hammers away at Kagan about the Liberal Media. The sick *uck can't help himself! Wolf's not much better...though I do wonder if the man ever sees his family.

I like the premise of fighting Faux directly. If they are truly going to beat them all and be #1, that's the way to do it. Who knows...maybe someday we'll have one for the Left, one for the Right, and one for the Middle. ;)

[mitchum]

60. That's the ONLY hammering he does with beard Kagan

[peacetalksforall]

14. You mean no more court jesters? n/t

[Mika]

15. Good news Brothers and sisters..

.. chocolate rations have been increased to 20 grams.

http://www.online-literature.com/view.php/1984/5

It appeared that there had even been demonstrations to thank Big Brother for raising the chocolate ration to twenty grammes a week. And only yesterday, he reflected, it had been announced that the ration was to be reduced to twenty grammes a week. Was it possible that they could swallow that, after only twenty-four hours? Yes, they swallowed it. Parsons swallowed it easily, with the stupidity of an animal. The eyeless creature at the other table swallowed it fanatically, passionately, with a furious desire to track down, denounce, and vaporize anyone who should suggest that last week the ration had been thirty grammes.

[still_one]

28. what about the production of boots?

[AlGore-08.com]

19. When they re-fund their research division and put reporters back

in offices around the world, they'll have taken the first step toward getting news back on TV.

Right now they're just inflicting more Wolf Blizter on us all...

[symbolman]

59. That's the scariest dildo

I've ever seen in my life..

But what's that he's holding? "?

[ozymandius]

20. about damn time

You cannot out-republican the Republicans and you cannot out-wank Fox News.

People i know who work at CNN have been saying this for years. CNN needs to provide alternative programming to boost its audience. What a stroke of genius that a "news" channel wold start reporting news.

[fishnfla]

40. I think people are tired of the talking head "debates"

The endless circular argumenting is getting stale, not to mention repetitive and useless.

I'd bet their internal polling shows that people stopped watching not because of content, but because of the personality, the blatherer on the right or the gabmeister on the left

[kimpossible]

22. If they follow through, it's a very positive step

Wouldn't that be refreshing - a news network actually reporting real news!

I'm willing to give them a chance and see what kind of programming changes they roll out over the next few weeks.

[Toots]

23. "counterprogram against Fox rather than compete."

If only this were a true statement. I am convinced they will still do the bidding of the Cabal. You know "Talk the Talk" but not "Walk the Walk"

[Captain Hilts]

24. Commentary is less expensive to produce

Let's see how long it lasts. Commentary is less expensive to produce than actual news reporting.

For the same reason we saw the explosion of Oprah-type shows, they were inexpensive to produce.

I hope this news is true. As someone who lives in Washington, DC and has worked in the political field, I often laugh at the folks they book as talking heads. For either side. They're just trying to fill air time with people who will go on television for free.

[still_one]

25. I will NOT watch it until I hear credible reports on DU

that they are in fact reporting the news, and NOT twisting it with someone's agenda

[Rainscents]

27. I feel the same!!! I will NOT give CNN my rating until I hear from Duer

tell me they're reporting facts!

[Rainscents]

26. They forgot to mentioned...Keith Olbermann is the ONLY one reporting news!

"Everyone talks in talking points these days," he said. "It's not just on cable news. It's radio. It's everywhere. The entire political world is no longer talking ideas, but talking points."

[still_one]

29. actually John Stewart does also

[Rainscents]

31. That's right! I forgot...

[mccoyn]

34. John Stewart is hardly a news source.

The entire show is commentary. Every bit of news they bring up is in a negative light. Worse still, they don't report any news outside of what the existing media reports.

I love The Daily Show, but certainly not for its ability to investigate and report on the news.

I do like to think that John Stewart's Crossfire appearance got the ball rolling on this thing. He raised a good point (one he has been on for years,) that Crossfire, CNN and the MSM are simply a joke. Surly a lot of CNN higher ups saw that and some of them got the point.

[genieroze]

38. John Stewart is the closest thing we can get, as far as the truth is

concerned. I really quite sad isn't it? We have to rely on a comedy show to get to the truth. CNN, better start reporting the real news and stop being just another mouth piece for this administration.

[Robworld]

45. I like Stewart but watching him kiss Newt Gingrich's ass made me sick

[genieroze]

55. Just seeing Newt Getrich made me sick.

[ElectroPrincess]

46. Yeah, but there's much more truth to The Daily Show than that

pompous a**'s nightly diatribe called "The O'Reilly Factor." Damn, he's pure propaganda with written talking points posted over his shoulder. That's sick and dangerous.

[CoffeeCat]

30. I won't be holding my breath...

...because CNN doesn't get it.

They say they'll "report the news." However, "news" to this organization has devolved into a voyeuristic form of "infotainment."

As a result, we get a steady dose of these journalistic cliff hangers: The runaway bride, Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, Aruba girl. And who can forget...the squirrel who can water ski.

I wouldn't mind a bit of these stories. However, they should be hidden away, in the Entertainment section. They should not be positioned as front-page news. That's what's so insulting.

We've got a crisis on our hands with Iraq. The pResident lied to get us into Iraq. The DSM is hiding in plain sight. What about the unprecedented deficit or the eroding dollar? Pick up where you left off with the Gannon story...I don't think anyone ever answered the question...How did a male prostitute make it into the White House hundreds of times--including some over night visits? How about election fraud? How about our eroding standing in the world?

Tyndall's quote is interesting, "CNN chose to 'counterprogram against Fox rather than compete." That signals a message to progressives/liberals/Fox haters---we're going to start speaking the truth and we'll not tow the Republican line.

Will it happen? I'll tune in to find out. However, if I see the same non-story stories--I'll click that remote with lightning speed.

[RaleighNCDUer]

32. It would be a nice change.

Leave Michael Jackson and Angelina/Brad to E!, and the runaway bride and Aruba girl to Court TV.

A news channel should be delivering news, not distractions.

[fasttense]

33. We shall see. I hope it's true. I expect it's not. n/t

[stopbush]

36. "the changes are not meant to directly counter Fox News Channel"

whatever you do, DON'T think of an elephant!

[genieroze]

37. Well CNN, let me know when you start reporting the real news and not

what this administration wants you to report.

[high density]

39. I'm not holding my breath...

but the simulcast of "Your World Today" on CNN is a step in the right direction.

[Gloria]

41. Their "analysis" will equal "opinion and talk"---big change, not,

most likely.

[killbotfactory]

42. get rid of pundits altogether

they are stupid, inane, and paid off whores for various interest groups who are not worth the money you pay them.

[leftchick]

44. I just watched Jane Araf's puff piece from Iraq.....

It was PURE UNADULTERATED PENTAGON PROPAGANDA! :puke:

[Cooley Hurd]

47. I'd been watching CNN regularly for almost a quarter-century...

...until recently. I'm a recovering news junkie, and their lack of real news is what broke me of that habit.

I doubt they'll be able to remove opinion from their lineup, unless they fire most (if not all) of their present anchors:






Until then, their problem will not be solved...

[0007]

50. You forgot that effeminate asshole bill schneider!

[Indy Lurker]

48. Why do all News Org run the same report.

Is it just me, or does every news organization use the same AP news story, edited the same way all the time?

You can go to cnn.com , the Chicago Tribune, MSNB.com or even foxnews.com, and for any given story, everyone is running the same copy edited the same way.

Unless it's a local story covered by a local reporter, it seems like there's only one reporter writing on it.

[Papa]

51. I used to wonder that as well, now I know that it's because the

Government runs the media, or the media is in collusion with the Government. I predict this change at CNN will mean nothing. They have already let the President get away with the 911 coverup, the Gannon Gate thing, and the Downing street memo/minutes, anyone of which should have been enough to bring down this presidency. As someone posted earlier the only one on tv reporting news is Keith Oberman. If the news were truly independent their news casts would differ significantly.

Just look at all the news events posted in this forum. There's so much 'good' stuff to report about it would be hard to cram it into a half hour news show yet the MSM reports almost the same stories in almost the same order night after night.

[ckramer]

52. Let's see some real Iraq fighting bloody pictures, Mr. CNN

Or you can always go back to the news of Camilla Parker Bowles.

You suck!

[DemBeans]

53. I don't believe this for one second

This move will do little other than free up time for the "news" CNN finds important - more fluffy promotion of AOL/Time Warner products, movies and music; and more pro-Bush slant to satisfy their AOL/TW corporate masters.

Until CNN is truly an independent, stand-alone news channel, they'll never report "news". That doesn't benefit anyone - except their viewers, and we obviously don't count.

[Coexist]

54. I'm willing to give it a wait and see...

what could it hurt. Maybe we will get real news and not screeching (sorry, I mean talking) heads. If I have to look at Crowley in another commercial, I will explode. She scares me.

[Fleshdancer]

56. if they report the news, I'll watch it

I'll remain skeptical though until I see it.

[Not a robought]

58. Most of what I had seen on CNN

since the whiff of Iraq War II, or as James Woolsey likes to call it, World War III :eyes:, left me in great awe of what depths people would go to display their lack of shame and integrity. I trust nothing that comes from CNN and won't take a report from them at face value without checking it against another news source.

It got smelly - it will be a long time forgetting the image seeing Kira Philips run around uselessly in a mock scenario at a marines training facility to demonstrate how imbedded reporters would operate. What a joke. I so want to see her on QVC, or the weather network as her next career move due to getting her ass fired.

[dchill]

61. I don't mind debate...

but debate doesn't mean countering truth with lies, denigrating the other side's patriotism, or just talking louder than the other guy.

CNN hurt their own credibility by trying to play FOX lite. FOX is not a news network, as I'm sure the execs at CNN know, yet "America's Most Trusted News Source" knowingly began to slant their "reporting" towards the corporate right. CNN and MSNBC both need to realize that telling the truth about FOX and other partisan efforts would work in their favor, and - it would actually be news.

Instead, CNN covers yet another California car chase while the Prez & the P.M. lie bald-faced at their press "availability" on Monday. And on Headline News ("Prime"), Nancy Grace finds all the accused guilty. Chokes me up too, Nance.

I, for one, will be pleasantly shocked if CNN is actually going to start doing actual news programming...

[Up2Late]

62. Is this for REAL?!? When does it start?

God, I hope it's true

[Miss Chybil]

63. I hope it's true... nt

[Chicago Democrat]

64. FIRE ALL THE HACKS! 1) Wolf Blitzer!!!

and dont stop there