Katrina Vanden Heuvel: It's Not About Dan and Katie

[DeepModem Mom]

The Nation: 06/13/2007
It's Not About Dan and Katie

When asked about his view of CBS Evening News during a radio interview with MSNBC's Joe Scarborough on Monday, Dan Rather said network execs had tried to boost ratings by "dumbing it down and tarting it up."

The media firestorm that's followed illustrates the very point--the larger point--Rather has consistently tried to make about the degradation of the mainstream, corporate news biz and the obliteration of the line between news and entertainment.

Watch as CBS dances, deflects and dodges the valid and valuable criticism levied by Rather and plenty of other media watchdogs. Les Moonves, CBS CEO, called Rather's remark "sexist" and said, "Let's give (Katie) a break."

But it's got nothing to do with Katie Couric. Nor does it really have anything to do with the messenger, Rather (whose colorful, native Texanspeak has gotten him into hot water in the past--much as it did for the late former Governor Anne Richards). It's about the message.

Rather's predecessor at CBS, Walter Cronkite--no fan of Rather himself--offered a similar take in a recent keynote address. According to the Associated Press, Cronkite suggested that the pressure for profits is "threatening the very freedom the nation was built upon."

"It's not just the journalist's job at risk here," Cronkite said. "It's American democracy. It is freedom."...

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So, now, when Dan Rather talks about dumbing down news in order to tart it up--it ain't about Dan, and it ain't about Katie. It's about consolidation, conglomeration, and the impact on the Fourth Estate and our democracy.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/edcut?bid=7&pid=204994

[peekaloo]

1. Ramen.

:kick:

[rasputin1952]

2. Katrina is one of the most intelligent and politicaly savvy people

out there trying to bring truth to the masses.

The Nation is one of the few outlets for news that seeks out the truth and dishes said truth on either gold-plated china, or a flat rock, but you get the truth, and that is what counts. I just got my renewal notice in the mail, and I'll have to get it in the mail soon...:D

[jeff30997]

3. For the peoples in Louisianna...

Katrina really blows!:)

[rasputin1952]

4. LOL...but not as much as bush and FEMA....

:D

[KharmaTrain]

5. TV News As A Revenue Source

The change at CBS can be traced to the Lawrence Tisch era when the News division was put on a financial leash. The other networks were doing the same thing...as the bottom line and big profits became the sole mission of the new owners and more lax rules about public service meant News was no longer a service but a product.

CNN and cable news turned News into a 24/7 product...one that could be "sexed" up...and that the more it was "sexed up", the higher the ratings and the better the revenues. Add to this the constant cost cutting that saw the major networks go from having news bureaus around the world to ending up almost solely within the walls of Washington and New York. Also, TV learned it was easier to "manufacture" news rather than cover it...and also more profitable.

News Divisions now are part of large entertainment conglomerates who view this "product" as the same as they see Reality Shows or Sporting events...it's to be controlled as much as posible and always meant to work for the best interests of the corporation over that of the "public good" (whatever that now is).

A long-overdue review of the '96 Telcom Act should be a requirement for the Congress...time to roll back the wholesale sell-out of television and radio to the large corporates.

[ashling]

6. BTW, Walter Cronkite

is also from Texas

[WiseButAngrySara]

7. Excellent analysis. I agree 100%. K&R!. ....n/t

[annabanana]

8. happy to "5" this

She is on the money, as usual.

[Elspeth]

9. Happy 7

:kick: