Or, what news is really about.
LA Times Calendar section today has an article by Ned Martel covering the new president of CNN/US and his plans to reinvigorate CNN and cut Fox's huge ratings lead.
And that is clearly what this is about: RATINGS. This is not about news, or rather, it's about news, but clearly within the context and overriding concern with ratings.
For instance, here's Klein's take on Fox:
Another rival force, Fox News, has usurped the lead in cable-news ratings and now nearly triples CNN's average prime-time viewership, but Klein offers praise. "They're excellent television producers," he says. "They are interesting. They're exciting. You wanna watch 'em, y'know? And we are in the process of getting more interesting and exciting and intelligent ourselves."
Pardon me while I run to the bathroom. Ugh.
More:
What this means is entertainment:
But the odds are daunting, and for those who know the news business, his we-can-win approach can seem foolhardy. CNN's audience is slipping away to other news sources and diversions on cable. And the network, worried about its sagging ratings, is not only promoting its anchors and website in offbeat commercials, it's trying to drive up revenue by allowing advertisers to sell vodka during its programs.
On the other hand, Klein does push the hard-news aspect of CNN, just that it has to be "dressed up", presented in an entertaining way, and promoted in the slick, over-the-top TV way we've all grown to love so dearly. Ugh, again.
A surprising bit early in the article the author presents Klein's praise for bloggers:
There are the bloggers, who have been rattling sabers against network decision-makers such as CBS' outgoing anchor Dan Rather and CNN's deposed news executive Eason Jordan. "Y'know, it's something we ought to embrace and investigate and shine a light on and wrap our arms around and welcome," says Klein, of the blogosphere. He's re-caffeinating in the midmorning, glancing at his computer screen and caller-ID panel as he jots notes, still talking. "Cuz it ain't going away. It's all part of this wave of democratization ... that began really with CNN."
Well, OK, and there you have it: Bloggers are rattling sabers against Dan Rather. And we owe everything to CNN.
I hate to say it, but ugh. Again.
While an interesting article, this is why I don't subscribe to Cable TV.