Anybody Know How The Cable News Networks (MSNBC, CNN) Work?......

[global1]

Here's what I wondering. I was watching Morning Joe this a.m. and what looked like Mika and Joe trying to come off spontaneous - seemed forced. The more I watched - the more I began to realize that what they were doing is reacting to some sort of script. This was apparent when they began to talk about something - again trying to sound spontaneous - and lo and behold - they had a video clip ready about what they were talking about. Then when they were talking to guests - I noticed the same thing. And I began to wonder - were the guests rehearsed? Then the more I watched the news all day more questions came up.

Now I'm not that stupid that I don't realize that they follow some sort of outline. I know they read the news and that it is written and on a monitor for them to read. But when they ask questions that appear to be coming from the host/anchor at the time - I began to wonder - are these people that smart that they can think on their feet or are the questions written for them as well? Then when the guest answers the question - the host/anchor goes on to either make a witty or poignant remark - and I began to wonder - where these written for them to read as well?

What about the guests? Do they appear on these programs gratis? or are they paid? If paid - how much? The pundits that keep appearing from Time Mag, National Review, NYT, Chgo Trib, etc, etc, etc are they paid? Do these people make themselves known to the networks that they are available? Are they like expert witnesses at a trial? Who books the guests? How much in advance do they get the guest booked?

This has just piqued my curiosity. How much of what they do on these news shows is programmed, written and rehearsed and how much is spontaneous? Who writes the questions and comments? Are the guests rehearsed? Are they told what to say? or at least told what not to say? Who makes the decisions as to what constitutes the news, the questions and the comments? How do they make these decisions? How do they keep that going for the full day of the news? Why is it when you switch channels - the same story is being talked about at the same time (this happens more on the local news versus cable)? What are the backgrounds and qualifications of the people behind the scenes that make these decisions, write the editorials and compose the questions?

I know personalities like Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough, Keith Olberman, Tucker, Pat Buchanan, Wolf Blitzer, Russert, Williams - are able to ramble on with their comments and have a certain latitude of what they can say - but when their segments come up are they told what they need to cover for that particular segment? What about these people that analyze the numbers, polls, etc - Do they really do the analysis - or is it done for them by someone else and they just deliver the results.

What about Meet The Press? Does Russert do his own research? I think not. So - how big are the research teams? What are their resources? I'm sure they have a big film library - but someone has to catalog it and computerize it so that they can access it handily.

I know that this all probably sounds very 'common sensicle' to most out there - but I think some of us would like to have a more in depth knowledge of how it is we are most likely manipulated.

I have written off Fox News - because I know that it is very slanted. So I don't want to go there. I also know about Outfoxed and have seen snippets of it but it doesn't answer all of my above questions.

I'm just really curious as to what goes on behind the scenes. I think that an insightful behind the scenes and honest look at this is needed. I don't think we'll ever get that from the networks themselves. I don't see an expose being done on 60 Minutes or Dateline.

Does anybody out there have first hand knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes? I'm not interested in silly comments that I'm sure I'll get from some of the posters here at DU - I really want a better appreciation as to how the news that we get is put together - so let's be serious - ok?

I know that a lot of what we get is not really news - but opinion - and that opinion comes from somebody. So outside of the breaking stories that hit and with and all the stupid comments that are made over and over - because - this by nature of it just breaking - is spontaneous - and nothing is written for the anchor/host - how do they do it?

[onenote]

1. I can only speak from first hand experience about one show

Several years ago, there was show on CNN called "Sonya Live". A friend of mine who was friends with a scheduler for the show asked me if I knew anyone who would appear on the show to discuss a particular issue. I did and that person was contacted and it was arranged for him to appear on the show. I went with him and we went to CNN's studio in DC. He was interviewed live in the studio with one other guest; a third guest was interviewed by satellite feed from Los Angeles. He was not paid. And apart from some scripted Intro/outro information, none of the guests nor the host had a specific script.

I stuck around to watch another taping of a different show. Can't remember who the host was, but the guest was Jesse Jackson, whom I got to meet and talk to in the "Green Room". Again, I saw no evidence of the interview being "scripted" beyond the questioner having some notes in his lap that he referred to in conducting the interview.

[Timmy5835]

2. Some answers

Believe it or not these news operations, especially on the cable side, run on very tight budgets. The staffs are a lot smaller then in the glory days (60's, 70's, and 80's). Other then the news very little is scripted. Don't confuse that forced look with unprepared. These shows are LIVE, no rehearsals. Guests are shuttled in, do their bit and rolled out. You asked if some of the guests are paid? Some are. If they are called a CNN Analyst for example they are paid by CNN. Their is an old saying "Never let the facts get in the way of a good story". With the 24 hour news maul now out their, with the pressure to get it on fast and with news organizations now run by bean counters rather then journalists you're not going to get the quality you once did. Many problems with the biz are the bean counters look a costs over quality. They look at an editor who is a 15 year veteran and a editor with just 2 years experience and choose the one with 2 years experience because they are cheaper.

The bottomline, the MSM is nothing more then an entertainment show and should be treated as such. As someone who spent my career it those trenches, I morn.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

3. from experience I'll try answering some of your questions...

Producers uncover and write most broadcast news stories. Most - if not all of a news segment - is scripted through a Character Generator, into a Teleprompter, where it can be read by on-air personalities. In the old-days, news directors put forth opinions, now owners appear to present their own notions. Currently giant monopolies own numerous stations and other media, which was forbidden by the FCC, in by-gone days.

To learn something really spooky, research ClearChannel radio to see what they currently own. Although it may sound like there is, very little live talent is local, or for that matter, actually on the air at all, in most markets.

[Berry Cool]

4. I think it depends largely on the network, the program and the host.

Keith Olbermann, for example, can definitely think on his feet and writes his own interview questions and Special Comments. He's also capable of writing his show entirely by himself, although he says he tries not to. He's used to having to write his own material, though, from his sportscasting days onward. He didn't have writers back then.

The guests are not paid, because in the real news business (as opposed to the tabloid business), paying for interviews is considered unethical. Of course they make it known that they are available and, in some cases, they may be sought out. Shows normally have bookers who plan the guests and arrange for the appearances, but the booking time for a news program is more narrow than that for a non-news program, because one is presumably going to want to book one's guests based on what the news of the day is, and that's not always a predictable thing. If there's a political debate coming up, you can plan for it, but if unexpected news breaks, you will probably need different "experts" to talk to about it, and you will not know which ones until the news happens.

And, of course, you have to be prepared to rip all your plans to shreds and fly by the seat of your pants if important news breaks during your live broadcast.

The percentage of programmed, written and rehearsed material vs. spontaneous material surely varies by the program, as does who writes the questions and comments. The guests are probably not rehearsed if they are used to being on TV; if they aren't; they may get a little coaching from the network in how to handle being on camera, but otherwise, no. If they are there as a representative of a greater institution, they probably receive media coaching from that institution. For example, a university research scientist who appears on a program to discuss the results of a study will have been coached by his school's communications/media relations department, which probably had placed his name on a list of "media experts" circulated to media as being available to talk expertly on a given subject if needed (that's why he is there).

"Are they told what to say? or at least told what not to say?" is a broad question. I think it depends.

The decisions as to what constitutes the news, the questions and the comments, how they make these decisions, how they keep that going for the full day of the news...well, that's what producers, editors and writers are for.

"Why is it when you switch channels - the same story is being talked about at the same time"? Because, usually, at any given time in the world, there's one topic in the news that dominates people's interest, or at least their perceived interest.

The backgrounds and qualifications of the people behind the scenes that make these decisions, write the editorials and compose the questions vary greatly. Some are longtime veterans of the journalism scene; some are fresh journalism school graduates. Some have a formal education and training, and others learned by doing. Some studied journalism, others studied broadcast media, others studied English and found themselves media writers. Others just started doing it, and now, here they are all these years later, still doing it.

Personalities work with their show producers to shape content. Those who analyze the numbers, polls, etc., usually work for agencies that do nothing else, and then offer the results to news media.

Research teams and resources at major networks are huge, and range from film and video libraries to the Internet. And yes, they have their own libraries, to catalog everything so no one has to waste time finding what they need with ease.

How do the anchors and hosts (and writers, editors, producers, directors, etc.) do it? Lots of caffeine, very little sleep, and a taste for spontaneity in their work rather than wanting to come in at a certain hour in the morning, work for X number of hours and then go home. I think that's what most of them would tell you. Oh, and they're masochists. That's something else they'd probably say.

[global1]

6. Wow - Thanks For The Comprehensive Answer......

I really appreciate it. I only hope others here at DU read this as well.

Now I'm in awe of the people in front of the camera - not as easy as it looks - and if they make it look easy - its because they're really good.

Given the comprehensiveness of your response - you wouldn't be Keith Olbermann would you?

[malaise]

5. Someone sent all of them the message from last night

Focus on Obama and Farakhan despite the fact that he denounced and rejected his views. Play up the anti-Jewish line and push it as though this is Obama's point of view.

So since morning the cartel are behaving like good little hacks.

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. This is how they work

[malaise]

8. Or watch Lou Dobbs who is giving the Mexicans a Break

while he attacks Obama on cue.