Years ago, a news director told J. Max Robins: “Management needs to realize that news operations are like cathedrals: You’re really only going to use them to capacity a handful of days per year. But ultimately, it sends a powerful message, and the investment pays off.”
The investment is paying off in the Hurricane Katrina coverage, Robins writes: “All the major network news divisions have performed admirably, but it’s important to note that NBC and ABC, which have long dominated CBS in the news business — and have deeper pockets — have seen the biggest increases in their evening news audiences and done more to burnish their journalistic reputations.”
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