Figured that this might be a good subject to bring up, given the horrors unfolding not all that far from our southeastern shores....
Over the past couple of days, I've perused various newscasts for coverage of the earthquake in Haiti (an absolute worst-case scenario if ever there was one) and have noted the usual American biases. In other words, for the most part, it hasn't gotten the full attention of most news sources - even if it is in the headlines. However, there's been one very notable exception to this: CNN. While FNC and MSNBC air their usual opinion shows and local/national nightly newscasts shift focus within 5 minutes to the usual issues; CNN has grabbed this story and seems to own it at this point.
Anderson Cooper and a cadre of other reporters accompanying him have done a truly excellent job of covering this story. The wall to wall coverage last night was as compelling as it was heartbreaking to watch. It was a remarkable job of reporting from a place that's nothing less than hell on earth. While other outlets have certainly spent time on this, nobody has come close to matching the level of effort given by CNN on this one. And, I am not surprised because - for all their other failings - a big international story is still the type of event where this network can shine.
And, all of the above is said by someone who's normally not a fan of CNN and who is no admirer of Anderson Cooper. But I also try to be fair and give credit where it's due. Given the scarcity of information coming out of Haiti and how vitally important it is for the international community to understand just how grave this is, I'd have to say that the reporting I've seen has not been the of the usual tabloid-ish variety that tends to exploit people's misery. No, in this case it's been respectful. So, as I see it, kudos to CNN on this one.
Thoughts?
Over the past couple of days, I've perused various newscasts for coverage of the earthquake in Haiti (an absolute worst-case scenario if ever there was one) and have noted the usual American biases. In other words, for the most part, it hasn't gotten the full attention of most news sources - even if it is in the headlines. However, there's been one very notable exception to this: CNN. While FNC and MSNBC air their usual opinion shows and local/national nightly newscasts shift focus within 5 minutes to the usual issues; CNN has grabbed this story and seems to own it at this point.
Anderson Cooper and a cadre of other reporters accompanying him have done a truly excellent job of covering this story. The wall to wall coverage last night was as compelling as it was heartbreaking to watch. It was a remarkable job of reporting from a place that's nothing less than hell on earth. While other outlets have certainly spent time on this, nobody has come close to matching the level of effort given by CNN on this one. And, I am not surprised because - for all their other failings - a big international story is still the type of event where this network can shine.
And, all of the above is said by someone who's normally not a fan of CNN and who is no admirer of Anderson Cooper. But I also try to be fair and give credit where it's due. Given the scarcity of information coming out of Haiti and how vitally important it is for the international community to understand just how grave this is, I'd have to say that the reporting I've seen has not been the of the usual tabloid-ish variety that tends to exploit people's misery. No, in this case it's been respectful. So, as I see it, kudos to CNN on this one.
Thoughts?
