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Send
a Message to CNN
August 9, 2001
by
Joshua Downing
Dear Friends of Democracy:
I am appealing to you in order to enlist your help in preventing
CNN from slipping into the dark, muddy ditch that is blatant
conservative journalism.
It was recently annouced that Mr. Walter Isaacson, the CNN
chief, has been meeting with top Republican lackeys in an
effort to steer CNN towards a right-wing agenda (http://www.rollcall.com/pages/news/00/2001/08/news0806b.html).
This would mean that the vast right-wing conspiracy can claim
yet another major news outlet as an ally in the war against
not only Democrats, but democracy and fair, unbiased journalism.
I would like to offer the possiblility of beginning a letter
writing campaign in order to dissuade Mr. Isaacson from pursuing
his plans to attract conservative viewers. I believe that
we could mount a visible opposition and clearly state that
there are many who would detest and boycott CNN for a shift
to the right.
You discuss, as well as other members, the sad state of journalism
in America - well this is an oppurtunity to voice that opinion
to a network that hasn't yet fully succumbed to whatever rotting
disease that networks like Fox News have contracted.
I believe that this is a perfect chance to show that we are
not a minority and hold a large market share, and that a jump
to the right would do more harm than good for the network.
This is my personal letter to Mr. Isaacson:
Dear Mr. Isaacson,
I am appalled by your attempts to court conservative and
right-leaning television viewers by pleading to leading GOP
leaders for advice on how to appeal to their constituents.
I am dismayed by your lack of respect for the fundamentals
of journalism, which include reporting the news unbiased and
without spin, and presenting facts untainted by ideology.
I understand that you must attempt to rescue the network
from the sagging ratings that threaten your wallet, however,
compromising journalistic integrity is not the way to do it.
If you continue with your plans to reach out to the right-wing
viewers by luring them in with sensationalistic, vapid, and
factually deprived programming akin to what is seen on Fox
News, then you have lost another viewer.
I'm sure that my sentiments are not isolated and that
your actions will end up being more of a shot in the foot
than a shot in the arm for CNN.
Sincerely,
Joshua Downing
Democratic
Underground would like to encourage all of our members to
participate in this letter writing campaign. Please mail your
comments to Mr. Walter Isaacson at isaacson@aol.com.
The
more people that write, the more effective this campaign will
be.
For
further information, see Media
Whores Online.
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