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elSicomoro · 03-30-2003, 06:04 PM

I've had a chance to really kick back and watch/listen to the 3 major cable news channels (in the US) this weekend. My critique on each one:

--MSNBC: Good, factual-based reporting, good coverage in the field (particularly Peter Arnett), solid analysts (e.g. Norman Schwarzkopf), too much repetition, not a whole lot of slant with a few exceptions (Dan Abrams), a bit too patriotic IMO

--Fox: Good factual-based reporting, gives more of a connected-to-Washington feel, Oliver North in the field is a nice plus, not having to see Geraldo also a plus, a bit too much sarcasm from anchors, most slanted of the three (towards the right)

--CNN: Good factual-based reporting, most experience of the networks, some whiny liberal slant, doesn't seem to have the inside track as it used to, which I think reflects in its reporting

From what I saw of the ratings the night that the war started, NBC was the clear winner, besting ABC by 5 million or so. Add the 4 million from MSNBC and CNBC, and the gap goes to 9 million. Fox News had the most viewers on cable (close to 8 million), beating CNN by almost a million.

Which brings me to ask...do we WANT slant in our newscast? Oh sure, we may claim that we want fair and accurate news, but does it give us comfort to hear viewpoints that are more in-line with our own?

Based on my viewing this weekend, you can get relatively fair and accurate news from the above 3 cable news channels. And each one has well-known personalities. And each one has neato graphics and their own little polls. And, each one fucks up...probably more often than they should. (It's 24 hour news...whaddaya gonna do?)

So, to answer my own question, I would say, yes, I do like to hear those with the same viewpoint as mine. It tells me that I'm not alone. But at the same time, I still want that opposing viewpoint. I want to know why those opposite me feel and think the way they do. And in some cases, it provides humor for me.

03-30-2003, 06:04 PM	#42
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	I've had a chance to really kick back and watch/listen to the 3 major cable news channels (in the US) this weekend. My critique on each one: --MSNBC: Good, factual-based reporting, good coverage in the field (particularly Peter Arnett), solid analysts (e.g. Norman Schwarzkopf), too much repetition, not a whole lot of slant with a few exceptions (Dan Abrams), a bit too patriotic IMO --Fox: Good factual-based reporting, gives more of a connected-to-Washington feel, Oliver North in the field is a nice plus, not having to see Geraldo also a plus, a bit too much sarcasm from anchors, most slanted of the three (towards the right) --CNN: Good factual-based reporting, most experience of the networks, some whiny liberal slant, doesn't seem to have the inside track as it used to, which I think reflects in its reporting From what I saw of the ratings the night that the war started, NBC was the clear winner, besting ABC by 5 million or so. Add the 4 million from MSNBC and CNBC, and the gap goes to 9 million. Fox News had the most viewers on cable (close to 8 million), beating CNN by almost a million. Which brings me to ask...do we WANT slant in our newscast? Oh sure, we may claim that we want fair and accurate news, but does it give us comfort to hear viewpoints that are more in-line with our own? Based on my viewing this weekend, you can get relatively fair and accurate news from the above 3 cable news channels. And each one has well-known personalities. And each one has neato graphics and their own little polls. And, each one fucks up...probably more often than they should. (It's 24 hour news...whaddaya gonna do?) So, to answer my own question, I would say, yes, I do like to hear those with the same viewpoint as mine. It tells me that I'm not alone. But at the same time, I still want that opposing viewpoint. I want to know why those opposite me feel and think the way they do. And in some cases, it provides humor for me.