Many evenings I do a fast remote search for the stories that lead the three main networks at 5:30 P.M. Central Time.? I have a curiosity about what news editors and anchors deem the most important news story, or the one they wish to lead the newscast with?so to better?keep an audience.
Years ago there was a very good chance that all the networks would lead with the same story, the one that clearly was the headline grabbing event of the day.? In the past couple years that has changed so that it is often possible to see each network leading with something different.
Tonight both ABC Evening News, and NBC Evening News led with the Whitney Houston story?concerning events of the day following her death?nearly 48 hours before.? Meanwhile CBS Evening News started with the bloodshed in Syria, and then reported on the?Greek fiscal dilemma before getting to the Houston story.
This post is not a slam on any network or? news anchor, but the decisions by ABC and NBC does underscore the fact news programming is more and more entertainment related.
This post is not in any way a slap at Houston, as she was an amazing talent who died far too young.
This post is not a slap at those who define ?news? by a standard different from what would have been used?20 years ago.
Granted there are many ways to evaluate the weight of the news that took place today,?and the impact it has on our lives, and therefore how it should be presented in a news program.
But I really do not think the lack of foul play in the death of Houston, or the fact her body was taken back to New Jersey today met any other journalistic test for leading the newscasts than it was sure to get attention.? That should not be the measure to decide what gets the top slot of a newscast.
The big three networks have a duty to the public when presenting their evening news broadcasts.? That duty is not to give us the news we want, but instead the news we need.
Only Scott Pelley on CBS started his news broadcast with that mission in mind.? In June 2011 I wrote the following when commenting on the?announcement Pelley would anchor the newscast.
The reason I have such respect for Scott Pelley?is that he can be referred to as a ?reporter?s reporter?.? He is a serious, tested, hard-hitting journalist who has proven his abilities over and over.? CBS made a most wise decision when they elevated Pelley to the anchor chair.
With that CP tonight salutes the CBS Evening News.
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
derrick mason lamichael james lamichael james harrisburg pa chynna phillips magic cube slaughterhouse
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.