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In a little over twenty years, CNN devolved from the most important television news organization in the world to another channel to skim through or skip over.
-- John Ellis at The American Interest
Of course, in those twenty years, CNN has picked up two serious rivals, Fox and MSNBC. But the problem is no doubt deeper. A lot of people argue that CNN only needs to develop more of a point of view, or to put it bluntly, be more partisan. Personally, I feel there is room for some serious talk and analysis and without being on a political team. I love Rachel Maddow, but we could use a serious overview of the whole game of American politics and news. When I check out a show at CNN, and admittedly it has been a long time since I have bothered, I always get the impression that I am watching "Sesame Street" for adults. It seems so simple and empty and a waste of time. Before Fareed Zakaria got shut down, I was a fan of his Sunday show. That is at least the kind of stuff I can use. I can imagine better, but at least they had the idea. I know Americans have been dumbed down in the past few decades, but it might be worth going higher brow, to try to wow us with cutting brilliance and revealing discussion, and even if you fail, because too many Americans prefer fascist Fox fantasies, at least you cannot hate yourself for giving us the best you had to give.
-- John Ellis at The American Interest
Of course, in those twenty years, CNN has picked up two serious rivals, Fox and MSNBC. But the problem is no doubt deeper. A lot of people argue that CNN only needs to develop more of a point of view, or to put it bluntly, be more partisan. Personally, I feel there is room for some serious talk and analysis and without being on a political team. I love Rachel Maddow, but we could use a serious overview of the whole game of American politics and news. When I check out a show at CNN, and admittedly it has been a long time since I have bothered, I always get the impression that I am watching "Sesame Street" for adults. It seems so simple and empty and a waste of time. Before Fareed Zakaria got shut down, I was a fan of his Sunday show. That is at least the kind of stuff I can use. I can imagine better, but at least they had the idea. I know Americans have been dumbed down in the past few decades, but it might be worth going higher brow, to try to wow us with cutting brilliance and revealing discussion, and even if you fail, because too many Americans prefer fascist Fox fantasies, at least you cannot hate yourself for giving us the best you had to give.
