| The Demise of Norah O'Donnell and The Decline of Network News |
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In what should be required reading for every journalist at CBS News, what did legendary CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite say about the evolution of broadcast news?
Good reporters, writers and editors are spread so thin that they cannot spend the necessary time developing the stories that the public needs and deserves. A more responsible press depends not upon individual journalists but upon more responsible owners. That is the real bottom line. The future is cloudy in this area. The profits for the networks and the other big players may be further fragmented in the new communications era. How willing will they be then to finance the news and public affairs programming which the public expects, to which it is entitled, and which is fundamental to the nation’s welfare? As for the hundreds of special interests that in the future will supply programming for the multitude of satellite or cable channels or news sites on the Internet, it is unlikely that they will have the resources or the will to provide highly expensive, well-rounded, comprehensive news services. The big question is whether the major players in the new alignment—the entertainment and industrial giants—with no background in news and their focus primarily on profits from other sources, will be willing to underwrite the budget-bending business of serious news reporting. Will they continue even the level of reduced news and public affairs programming that their networks are providing today?
"A Reporter's Life," by Walter Cronkite; Page 374
Copyright © 1996 by M and SA, Inc.
I've always held a great interest in broadcast news. Every weekday evening, Monday through Friday, my parents faithfully watched either The Huntley–Brinkley Report with Chet Huntley and David Brinkley on NBC or the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. Even before Cronkite, I remember watching Edward R. Murrow.
In 1963, I was nine-(9) years-old, and I vividly remember watching, with my mother, a particular story on the CBS Evening news - I watched as Black men, Black women, and Black children were being chased and beaten by police, attacked by dogs, running from the police (see the photo below), I asked my mother, "Mom, what did they do?" She responded, "They're marching for their civil rights, Trip!" Frankly, the civil rights and being Black never occurred to me before, then suddenly the hypocrisy of my existence in the United States of America literally shot through me like sticking my finger into an electrical socket. I promptly wrote the following poem.
Why in this world of today
Must men fight and kill for play?
Why in this time and place,
Must men hate and destroy grace?
Why do Black and White men fight,
Knowing that its just not right?
Man, who is said to be superior
Compared to animals he's inferior!
Animals of different colors get along,
So why can't man - who's said to be strong?
Is this world such a bad place
That men hate their own race?
Why do teenagers rebel and hate,
Take pot and put their lives at stake?
Why is there a thirst for power...
Black, White, equality shower!
What's the use of cursing names,
Nigger, pecker, they're all the same!
When did the world start this turmoil,
Replacing love with lusts of hate?
Why is sex a desire of play
Practiced by the youth of today?
When will the world get back on its feet,
And replace the hate with a righteous beat?
I ask you...why?
©1963 Trip Reynolds
Over the past sixty-two-(62) years I've carefully monitored broadcast news for accuracy, objectivity, and fairness. Yes, I've watched ABC, NBC, CBS, and the emergence of CNN and others. Through it all, I consistently found CBS to be the most objective, the least opinionated - but I no longer hold such an assessment. Instead of developing exceptional journalist likes Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Mike Wallace, and Andy Rooney, CBS News ventured into mediocrity, then moved left, then just short of far left. News is best when it's unfiltered and raw, informative and educational, but not as entertainment or as tabloid sensationalism, which is the "branding" of contemporary broadcast journalism.CBS put Norah O'Donnell, a seasoned journalist, in the coveted anchor chair, and not to primarily function as "eye candy" or as an obese, slut-looking pseudo-journalist like Gayle King. Yes, it matters.
Frankly, except for Gayle King, most of the on-air female talent at CBS News are not obese, and most dress in a professional, non-sexual manner, such as Norah O'Donnell . . .
such as . . .
Adriana Diaz Anne-Marie Green Catherine Herridge Dana Jacobson Elaine-Quijano Jamie Yuccas Jan Crawford Jane Pauley Jericka Duncan Lesley Stahl Nikole Killion Weijia Jiang So, why does Gayle King dress like this . . . QUESTION: Does Gayle King have a subliminal desire (her dream, "I want it bad") to front-around like a sexy model?
ANSWER: Yes!
Surely, you've seen this movie before," i.e., Oprah, Star Jones, Sherri Shepherd, Wendy Williams, etc. Nevertheless, let's celebrate King lost a few pounds, at least enough to get into a sculptured swim suit. Unfortunately, just like Oprah, King, who has frequently touted her big-body 5'10" height as her asset, has never demonstrated the discipline and commitment to maintain her "asset." In fact, King's attempt to be "sexually relevant" only establishes her as rather "late to the attractive and desirable party," given by many of her age-group celebrity peers such as Michelle Pfeiffer, Gladys Knight, Christie Brinkley, Angela Bassett, Demi Moore, Tina Knowles-Lawson, Viola Davis, Beverly Johnson, Iman, etc.
Simply put, Gayle King"knows" she's a well-paid "public figure" and perceived as a "role model" to many people, especially Black women and girls.
So, showcasing her obesity, showcasing the cellulite on her thighs and arms, and the bulge about her waist is not an accident.
Absent a history of discipline and commitment, King's "presentation" is rather deceitful, given her wigs, the stomach roll, the cellulite, etc. However, understandably, as with many celebrities, King must present an "image" (via heavy make-up, wigs, cosmetic surgery, tailored clothing, shoe lifts, etc.) to ensure and maintain her "commercial marketability." Yada, yada, yada. Gayle King should thank me for previously informing her and CBS of this editorial via email and certified mail.
Simply put, the "news" should be the story, not the appearance or "sexuality" of the anchor. I hoped O'Donnell, an attractive woman who wisely never presented herself as a sexual object, would inspire original content. In particular, the broadcast of hard-hitting, fact-based conent without the on-screen left-leaning editorializing; an independent perspective from a contemporary professional woman - but she failed to do so. Instead, O'Donnell gave us more of the same ole broadcast-media-mediocrity:
1. O'Donnell did absolutely nothing to distinguish herself from her male competitors at ABC and NBC.
Mainstream print and especially broadcast media primarily focus on "negative" events, and occasionally end a news broadcast with a strategically branded "feel good" (human interest) or "do-gooder" stories to give a pseudo-positive spin to an otherwise extremely negative if not contemptuous broadcast. For example, presented below is actual content from nationally televised evening newscasts by the three perpetually dominant television networks for Monday, September 6, 2021:
1. New fears of holiday COVID-19 surge
2. 40 million people cause traffic jams and pack skys
3. COVID-19 infections skyrocket nationwide, with more than 1,100 deaths each day4. Dire situation for healthcare workers;
5. Health of children in schools in peril due to COVID-19
4. Hurricane Ida destroys towns, homes, and kills5. COVID-19 super spreaders fears grow at airlines and football games
6. Dangerous escape from Afghanistan; Amerian charter flights blocked from departure7. Child dies on an amusement park ride in Colorado
8. Man finally speaks out on the mysterious murder of his wife and son
9. Millions of Americans lose jobless benefits due to COVID-19 closures
10. Actor Michael K. Williams apparently dies from drug overdose
1. Search for storm victims is grim, dire
2. Three-(3) people drowned in failed rescue attempt in New York;
3. Nursing home patients in peril because of hurricane Ida; residents die
4. Escape of Americans from Afghanistan; others still trapped at airport5. COVID-19 super spreaders fears at airlines and football games
6. Gas prices on the rise7. 55 people shot in Chicago
8. U.S. factory closed due to jobs outsourced to China
9. Bears on the rampage in Utah
10. Actor Michael K. Williams apparently dies from drug overdose
11. Autistic boy lost in Australian wilderness found alive
12. Healthcare worker "surf" to relieve stress
1. Millions reeling from impact of hurricane Ida, with new storm alert in forecast
2. Three-(3) people drowned in failed rescue attempt in New York; 50 die in northeast
3. Nursing home patients in peril because of hurricane Ida; residents die
4. Holiday COVID-19 concerns at busy airports, concerts, beaches, football games, etc.5. Taliban claims totol control of Afghanistan; fears worsen for stranded Americans grounded at airport
6. Cosby accuser breaks her silence7. Actor Michael K. Williams apparently dies from drug overdose
8. Autistic boy lost in Australian wilderness found alive
9. Remembering NBC weatherman Willard Scott
2. O'Donnell and her 2024 presidential debate co-host, Margaret Brennan, could have established a higher professional standard for such events, but they elected not to do so.
On August 4, 2024, in anticipation of the president debate on September 10, 2024,
I sent the following email and letter to Norah O'Donnell and her colleagues at CBS News.
ATTENTION: Norah O'Donnell
Ms. O'Donnell, I truly appreciate the class and professionalism you've presented throughout your broadcast career, which is consistent with your legendary peers such as: Edward R. Murrow, Douglas Edwards, Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, Connie Chung, Lesley Stahl, Andy Rooney, Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Katie Couric, Morton Dean, Eric Sevareid, Bob Schieffer, Ed Bradley and so many, many more!
By the way, one of the reasons I enjoy your program is because you typically offer more balanced content produced by and featuring women. I've been regularly and exclusively watching the CBS Evening News since the early 1960s - but please DO NOT slot this feedback into an "older demographic." My interest is "fairness" in political reporting; and with this email I'm not pushing one political party or candidate over the other. Please note the attached graphic image (below) from https://www.cbsnews.com/evening-news/, which showcases skewed reporting on the CBS website, which unfortunately, also happens during your "live" weekday broadcasts.
CBS COULD HAVE, SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS!
CBS IS NOT AS "FAIR" AS PBS, REALLY?
Due to the absence of objective and truly investigative reporting from mainstream media, years ago I created and confine my political assessments to fact-based editorials on my website (http://tripoetry.com/editorials.htm). For example, it's bias for CBS to routinely broadcast statements (from anyone) alleging President Trump as racist while never reporting content that easily refutes these accusations. Likewise, it's bias, and not "entertainment" for CBS to allow Stephen Colbert to perpetually use an endless barrage of profanity (even if blanked-out) about Donald Trump. I stopped watch the "The Late Show" due to Colbert's bias; conversely I faithfully watched David Letterman during his entire run on CBS and NBC, and 30-years watching Johnny Carson, because these "comedians" were truly "egalitarian" in their comedy and sarcasm. I'm not a novice to broadcasting or journalism, which is why I'm asking, Ms. O'Donnell, please strongly encourage your "team" to step up their game, to be better.
No one, not even O'Donnell responded to my email or letter.
3. Again, O'Donnell and her 2024 presidential debate co-host, Margaret Brennan, could have established a higher professional standard for such events. If O'Donnell and Brennan failed to read, or having read Cronkites autobiography, they should have taken his keen advice:
Politicians approach these forums with abject cynicism, which results, I submit, in increasingly serious damage to their credibility with the public.
Debates are to be avoided if possible. If not avoidable, they are to be minimized. Substance is to be avoided if possible. Image is to be maximized. The debates are a part of the fraud that our political campaigns have become, and it is a wonder that the networks continue to cooperate in their presentation. Since they clearly require the candidates’ approval, the networks must agree to the debate formula that the candidates dictate. There has grown up a belief on the part of the sponsoring groups and the networks that it is worth any compromise with the candidates in order to get them on the air together at all. This is highly questionable.
"A Reporter's Life," by Walter Cronkite; Page 377
Copyright © 1996 by M and SA, Inc.
The networks DON'T HAVE TO AGREE to the debate formula that the candidates dictate! The tail (candidates) don't wag the dog (the networks), because candidates are constantly seeking media exposure, their thirst for unlimited airtime cannot be satiated. Therefore, for example, as represented by the following graphic, broadcast networks could easily adapt the technology used for sports programming to accurately and promptly convey (report) the political platforms of each candidate; to easily compare and contrast candidates; to identify political contradictions and inconsistencies made by candidates; and most importantly, instead of pushing personality-based diatribes ("zingers") designed to produce emotional responses, the debates could and should focus on "intellect-driven, and fact-based" solutions to serious political problems.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGEInstead, O'Donnell and Brennan handled the event with overt bias against the Republican candidate (Donald Trump), including "live" and incorrect and distorted fact-checking of his responses; conversely, O'Donnell and Brennan gave soft-ball questions to the Democratic candidate (Kamala Harris) and without a corresponding "live" fact-checking any of her responses.
4. During her tenure as the anchor for the CBS Evening News, O'Donnell's network news broadcast ratings consistently ranked her as number three behind #1 ABC, and #2 NBC. What, if anything, did CBS learn from women like Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Jane Pauley and Katie Couric who preceded O'Donnell as anchor of a major evening news program? Clearly, not much of anything, because instead of actually expanding the character and scope of O'Donnell's broadcast performance she was essentially presented as just "one of the guys," except with a vagina and breasts.
Here's the deal, women constantly whine, nag, and complain about not be "valued" as much as men performing similar roles or professions, BUT as with the WNBA, women DO NOT SUPPORT WOMEN. Women are 51% of the U.S. population, BUT . . . Men are 60% of ESPN networks’ WNBA viewers; men are about 55% of ION’s WNBA viewers, up from 50% last year. On CBS, male viewers aged 18 and older now make up 54% of WNBA viewers, up from 48%. O'Donnell's tenure as anchor for the CBS Evening News failed to change the ever-prevailing axiom, "Women don't support women!"
In summary, instead of developing exceptional journalists likes Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Mike Wallace, and Andy Rooney, CBS News ventured into mediocrity, then moved left, then just short of far left. Norah O'Donnell and CBS shot themselves in the foot . . . even worse, they shot themselves in the head and entirely lost the "common sense objectivity" that journalism is supposed to represent. As posted in a previous editorial:
QUESTION 1: What is "news"?As defined by various . . . authorities(?) . . . news is neither good or bad, news is essentially an objective communication of events.
NEWS (merriam-webster.com): Newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent or important events: I've got some good news for you.
NEWS (Wikipedia.com): News is information about current events. This may be provided through many different media: word of mouth, printing, postal systems, broadcasting, electronic communication, or through the testimony of observers and witnesses to events. News is sometimes called "hard news" to differentiate it from soft media.
NEWS (dictionary.com): a report of a recent event; intelligence; information.
QUESTION 2: If you constantly convey the same character and scope of "message" over and over and over and over and over again, is it truly . . . news?
RESPONSE: Nope.
QUESTION 3: So, what do you label or classify the perpetual, repetitive, and monotonous conveyance of the same old message over and over again?
RESPONSE: Mediocrity.That's right, mediocrity, because people always die from whatever disease-of-the-day; there's always a war somewhere; Muslims, Jews, and Christians are alway fighting and arguing about who's "vision" of God is the right one, AND peace has never been a "religious" objective or priority; men are always oppressing women somewhere; White people are always oppressing people of color somewhere; the rich are always getting richer somewhere; Republicans and Democrats are always arguing; and instead of working together positively to achieve a goal, the "news" wants you to believe "all" people are pursuing some devious scheme to take advantage of other people, like in the CBS-TV programs "Big Brother" or "Survivor," and yada, yada, yada . . . none of which is "news," but just the same old business-as-usual crap. Mediocrity.
MEDIOCRITY (merriam-webster.com): of moderate or low quality, value, ability, or performance : ORDINARY, SO-SO.
MEDIOCRITY(ahdictionary.com): Of ordinary or undistinguished quality.
MEDIOCRITY(dictionary.com): the state or quality of being mediocre; of only ordinary or moderate quality; neither good nor bad; barely adequate:.
The news should not paint a rosey picture suggesting everything in the world is perfect, which would be deceitful. However, it's equally deceitful to paint a "gloom and doom" picture suggesting everything in the world is chaotic, negative, or evil. Supposedly, the overwhelming majority of people on this planet, and without regard to age, race, sex, creed, nationality, etc., are good, decent, upstanding, brilliant, fair, courageous, honest, caring, uplifting, forgiving, and creative, but you'd never know it from watching the local or national news, or CNN, or MSMBC, or "The View," etc.You'd never know it.
We're clearly doomed.
Like it or not, President Trump is absolutely correct to label individual reporters and their employers for generating "FAKE NEWS," because that's exactly what they do; they intentionally misrepresent, they intentionally editorialize, they intentionally delete, modify, or inject content to serve their own financial and/or political objectives.
With the demise of Norah O'Donnell I no longer religiously watch the CBS Evening News, and frankly, neither should you!
Instead of replacing O'Donnell with another "Barbie" or a "Ken" or a "Barbie and Ken," CBS went with a truly "old school" but politically correct replacement of a Huntley–Brinkley-esque duo of a Black "Ken (Maurice DuBois)" and a White "Ken (John Dickerson)."
With the demise of Norah O'Donnell and its move to the political left, CBS clearly lacks the "journalistic backbone" to actively practice the objective journalism standards it used to preach. We, that's right, "we" should all be mad as hell . . .
Again, CBS abandoned the high broadcast journalism standards established by Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Mike Wallace, Andy Rooney, etc. Plus, consistent with CBS' overt bias against Donald Trump, let's not overlook how the legendary CBS "60 Minutes" program intentionally distorted its pre-presidential election interview with Kamala Harris to make her look less incompetent, less of a baffoon. Yes, having personally seen the two-(2) versions, it's blatantly clear CBS intentionally deleted Harris' notorious word salads and her fumbling responses. As reported in Variety, here's how Donald Trump responded:
Trump filed the lawsuit against CBS just days before the 2024 presidential election, alleging that a “60 Minutes” interview with then-VP Kamala Harris violated a Texas consumer protection law by misleading voters and causing Trump personal financial harm. His suit initially asked for $10 billion in damages. In February, the president amended the complaint to seek at least $20 billion.
A version of the interview that aired during the actual “60 Minutes” broadcast on Oct. 7 did not include what the lawsuit, filed in federal court in the Northern District of Texas, alleges was an inarticulate response to a question about the current conflict between Israel and Hamas that had been shown during earlier “teases” of the interview that were shown in other CBS News programs that aired earlier. Trump’s lawsuit alleges CBS edited the clips in a way meant to boost Harris, something CBS News has denied.
Hum . . . given that advertising and return-on-inventment (ROI) dictate the real "value" of all broadcast operations, how long before Apple, or Amazon, or Meta, Elon Musk, etc., collectively own all broadcast news media platforms and: (a) redefine their business objectives; or (b) significantly reduce news operations, or as with legacy newspapers, put them all out of business?
"Nuff said."
Where'
I welcome your feedback.
Trip Reynolds
trip.reynolds@yahoo.com
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Reynolds' Rap First Amendment to the United States Constitution - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. |