I couldn't take it anymore... a letter to CNN

[DemWitch]

Dear CNN,

I have been a viewer of CNN since its inception. From the beginning, CNN was the place to go to get the latest breaking news. The jewels in the crown of CNN was it 24/7 newscasts, coupled with it’s few but exceptionally produced new analysis shows, like Crossfire and Capital Gang.

During the OJ ordeal, I began to notice a change in CNN. Newscasts were being replaced with more and more news analysis programming, most of which were loosely based on the Crossfire/Capital Gang formula of one side versus the other. Talkback Live with Bobbie Battista was one of the new shows that was an excellent forum of news and input from viewers. As time went on, more news analysis shows were introduced, based on nothing more than the hosts. Crossfire began to get bounced around. Talkback Live was removed from programming. News analysis became the norm from 3pm until 11pm. At the end of the Clinton impeachment, the newscasters weren’t even trying to hide their personal opinions of the news of the day.

This past year has been an awful year for CNN. Once the Crown Jewel of 24/7 news, it has sunk to a deplorable level. Judy Woodruff, Daryl Kagan, and Wolf Blitzer, to name just a few have no qualms about inputting their own biases into their reporting. Inside Politics was a wonderful show, objective and insightful. It has now taken the low road with Judy Woodruff constantly questioning the lack of a bounce from the DNC, asking if Senator Kerry brought the Swift Boat Vet for Truth brouhaha upon himself by citing his service, all the while saying that the Republicans could only expect a bounce of 2% because of the division in the country, and failing to ask the obvious questions about military service of the other candidate for president. Daryl Kagan making the statement “medals he may have” in reference to Senator Kerry’s medals he earned for his service. MAY have? Please…

Time was when there were questions about one candidate’s service, CNN would have paid equal attention to the other candidates also. Time was that campaigns were reported on as to what the candidates said in their stump speeches, not what Wolf Blitzer, Bill Hemmer, Jack Cafferty, or any other reporter thought they said. Time was that debates about the news of the day were rightly relegated to Crossfire (when it was an hour long and in the evening, not as an addition to Inside Politics) and Talkback live, not aired as “news”. Time was when I had the utmost respect for CNN.

That time, sadly has past.

I sincerely hope that the powers that be at CNN see what a valuable asset they are flushing down the toilet for ratings. CNN shouldn’t be fighting with FOXNews for ratings. CNN should return to the NEWS organization it once was, not the cable equivalent of The Enquirer it is today.

Sincerely,

[Wickerman]

1. very good

thanks for sending that!

[silverlib]

2. Excellent -

Good job

[kstewart33]

3. That;'s a great letter

Given the latest ratings, it seems that CNN can't even get the Fox formula right.

[Nightjock]

4. That was right to the point

and many people feel the same way.

[R3dD0g]

5. I've written several similar entreaties in the recent past.

All have produced zilch in the way of response or changes.

Just last night I moved the parental block from MSNBC to both CNN channels. It's a damn shame too, CNN International is still the respected news leader, just not for Americans.

[silverlib]

6. When did you send it - did you email-

I am watching Wolfie hit the Repug Campaign Chairman on misinformation about Michael Moore. Bizarre - most unusual.

[Rockholm]

7. Great Letter! Your Post Brought Back Memories....

The late great morning team of Leon Harris and Susan Kelley. Natalie forgot her last name) and Martin Savidge at noon. The many reporters who have left: Jonathan Karl, Joie Chen, Bobbi Batista and the GREATEST Lynne Russell on Headline News. There are SO many more.
CNN totally sucks now.
Nothing but talking heads that instead of reporting news, give their OPINION of the news. CNN should have a flashing scrolling bar that goes off when the achor or reporter starts spouting opinions.

[EST]

8. Send them a hundred copies-

maybe they'll read one!

[FrenchieCat]

9. I've written so many letters to....

CNN, I cannot any longer. Good letter though.

I called CNN on its manipulative coverage.....massaging the polls to shape public opinion, etc.... a long time ago.....

But that was during the primaries....when many, even here at DU, were laughing at me and my statements of media manipulation. That's when Edwards was the king of the media....and Kerry was, so they-- the media said, most "electable".

Since we are finally scratching our collective asses and saying "what happened?", I think it comes a bit too little, too late.

Bottomline is "we've been had", it was easy, and so it shall continue.