All this week, CNN is hoping you’ll tune in to catch their special economic crisis coverage called Road to Rescue: Your Survival Guide. The cable newser advertises that they have the answers to questions like, where are all the jobs, and so, how bad is the economy? The week-long coverage comes on the heels of CNBC’s Jim Cramer debacle, and we for one have to ask — why should we listen to CNN (which nixed its financial news network (CNNFN), opting for an online version called CNNMoney)? Does CNN have real answers or are they riding the massive wave that’s been created by an undercurrent of fear among Americans? What about the other news?
CNN, like most newsmakers, is a business. As such it’s paramount that their coverage be reflective of the consumer’s needs. Presumably, CNNFN was canceled because the network’s demand was not great enough to warrant its existence. And the newsmaker replaced the network (somewhat) with CNNMoney.com; which we should note has been mentioned more and more in recent months as economic news has become more prevalent.
But, why should we trust the coverage of a newser who just a few years ago decided that devoting time and money to the business of economics wasn’t valuable? Oh, and now that all of a sudden they’ve decided it’s important, the news cycle is littered with money issues.
All the while we’ve seen very little about what’s happening in Iraq and Afghanistan and even less about the groundbreaking, earth-stopping, initiatives President Obama is passing — like reversing the Federal ban on stem-cell research funding and a commitment to remove the majority of US troops from Iraq by December, 2010.
Oh, and remember how CNN was all high-and-mighty when they decided not to air Obama’s half-hour commercial?
But don’t worry, CNN’s magic wall will keep you in the know on important issues like where you can sell your gold for an extra buck.
It’s funny that the journalism community gets all in a huff about writers who are paid to comment on specific matters despite the fact that networks like CNN pay their correspondents to cover topics that will further their brands — simply because they know the issues they’re covering are hot, and people will tune in. What’s the difference? If you want evidence, turn on CNN and watch a minute or two of their advertising — it’s all right there.
More: “CNN Not Airing 30-min Obama Spot”