Couple interesting responses to an interview on CBSNews.com’s PublicEye with Linda Mason, CBS News SVP of standards and special projects…
“I think a blog and CBSNews.com are two different things. I think a blog tends to reflect the opinion or opinions of the people putting out the blog. It in no way strikes to be fair and measured. It’s putting out that viewpoint, I think. And I think that CBSNews.com is trying to put forth the whole story. So I think there’s a real difference….”
“… I’m just surprised at how, almost 30 years after I worked on the ‘Evening News’ as the first woman producer, that Katie is having such a tough time being accepted by the public, which seems to prefer the news from white guys, and now that Charlie’s doing so well, from older white guys. I guess they want the reassurance of a Walter Cronkite. I had no idea that a woman delivering the news would be a handicap.”
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As a longtime blogger and journalist, I disagree with her sweeping opinion that blogs are not “fair and measured.” This is true for many blogs, but certainly not all. Isn’t it interesting that she expresses this opinion on a blog on CBSNews.com? Therefore, is PublicEye not fair and measured? Or is it fair because it’s inside CBSNews.com? I’m so confused.
Adds Amanda in comments: “The public’s distaste of (Katie Couric) has nothing to do with her gender…. There are plenty of qualified female journalists I can name off the top of my head who would be a better fit for that chair. Instead CBS hired a perky personality who reminds me too much of the blond cheerleaders back in high school.”