George Zimmerman Trial: MSNBC Plans ‘in-depth, continuing coverage’

By Alex Weprin 

The George Zimmerman trial starts on Monday, and the cable news channels are gearing up for live coverage on the proceedings.

Most interesting is MSNBC, which is planning “in-depth, continuing coverage” as part of its regular programming.

“MSNBC will provide in-depth, continuing coverage of the trial of George Zimmerman beginning Monday, June 10,” an MSNBC spokesperson says. “The network will cover the criminal proceedings live as news warrants during our regularly scheduled programs.”

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MSNBC president Phil Griffin said recently that his channel is “not the place” for breaking news, but rather is doubling down on politics. The Zimmerman trial is breaking news, though it has energized politicians and political pundits in a way that no other recent trial has.

CNN says that it will be covering the trial during its programming “as news warrants,” leaving the in-depth coverage to sister network HLN. HLN will be going wall-to-wall with coverage of the trial, in much the same was as it did with the Jodi Arias trial. George Howell will cover the trial in the mornings, Martin Savidge will cover in the afternoon, and David Mattingly will cover for “OutFront.”

Fox News says it will be streaming every minute of the trial live online and will “present live coverage” during the week on TV. It will also stream the trial live online. Phil Keating will be in Florida covering the trial for the channel.

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