Geraldo Under Fire: "We've just been sniped;" Driver Injured
Geraldo was traveling in a two-vehicle convoy. The team was driving up to the gate of a military forward operating base near Mosul when the sniper started shooting. The first shots hit the security vehicle, and the driver Hussein Ali was hit in the left shoulder. He called it "quite an exciting morning." "Thank god this vehicle is armored," Geraldo said later. My favorite quote from his package: Geraldo, to the camera, moments after the attack: "Ladies and gentlemen, we've just been attacked, we've just been sniped, we've been hit, we've been hit." Tonight's edition of 'At Large' promises to be very interesting... 2:10:42 PM

Geraldo Under Fire: Shot At in Iraq Today
FOX correspondent Geraldo Rivera's convoy was shot at in Iraq today. The scenes aired on FOX this morning and again during "Weekend Live." Tony Snow said that "Geraldo is the only person I know, when he gets shot at, he says to his cameraman, 'did you get the shot?'" His brother, Craig Rivera, was filming the whole time. Details soon... 12:39:58 PM

Haiti in Crisis: Time For The Cablers To Wake Up
DCRTV Dave notes that the cable nets are barely covering the crisis in Haiti. "I did catch CNN's Wolf Blitzer doing a phone interview with Haiti dictator Aristide on Friday, and had to cringe when Wolf referred to him a 'patriot.' I guess that was part of the deal to get the 'exclusive' interview," he writes. CNN's "Haiti in Crisis" graphics are cool, and at least they air Newman's reports frequently. Why isn't Anderson there now, though, like he was a decade ago? I realize the 'Passion' is a cheap, easy story to do, but aren't the visuals out of Port-au-Prince just as compelling? It's the top story on the three cable news web sites ("bloody unrest;" "anarchy hits capital;" "rebels approach"), but it's barely touched by the TV side. If I were in Secaucus or Atlanta, I'd be scrambling to present non-stop live coverage when the shooting really starts... 11:09:05 AM

Quote of the day
Hank Stuever in Saturday's WP: "Later, Kucinich talks about health care, and King looks around, beginning even to multi-task the papers in front of him, another moment in the 'Nobody's Listening to Dennis Kucinich Show.' Kucinich has so many issues to talk about, with force and clarity, and when he does, people put their minds on screen-saver. (Even in the media room, a giant, old basketball gymnasium filled with dozens of reporters tickety-tapping, there is a discernible cessation of journalism and an increase in snackage whenever it's Kucinich's turn to answer.)" 1:48:25 AM

Is Geraldo Reclaiming Some Dignity?
What's the consensus on Geraldo's dispatches from Iraq? A couple of message threads have had me wondering. "Everyone tees off on Geraldo for this and that -heck, I have too, but I admit I've liked his stories from Iraq recently," this TVSpy'er says. "He does take a lot of crap and some rightfully so but I really enjoy the stuff he is doing now," another poster adds. Several people on MSN's FNC board have said they like the reports, too. I wonder if David Folkenflik's been watching... 1:48:15 AM

Media Notes: Teddy Bears, The $60 Million Man, Red Carpet Kagan
FOX weather gal Janice Dean sleeps with a teddy bear, according to her FOX fan interview // "The O'Reilly Factory" is worth $60 million a year, Business Week says in a fascinating piece // This MediaLine poster objects to a FOX lower-third about gay marriage // Daryn Kagan will host a 7pm red carpet show live from the Academy Awards on CNN Sunday night... 11:10:28 PM

Aaron Brown's Outrage: "Last night was an exception"
In his newsletter today, Aaron Brown offered a footnote of sorts to his commentary last night: "NewsNight is not a talk show and I have no interest in being a talk show host. I have no intention with beginning the program with pointed commentaries though as long as they are so labeled I have no problem with that. Last night was an exception. It is something I thought about for several days. You have the right to know when I feel that strongly about something because that is one way you can judge the program's overall fairness. But it remains the exception and not the rule." Sounds fair to me... 8:33:06 PM

Aaron Brown's Outrage: The AP's Story
The Associated Press picks up on Aaron Brown's scathing commentary last night, calling it a "step into political activism." "This was Aaron's commentary," CNN spokeswoman Christa Robinson said. "Obviously, the views are his own and not the network's." CableNewser reported on Brown's comments last night; a transcript is now online. 8:32:40 PM

Greta Blogs; Why Don't Other Anchors?
Greta's blog post today leaves me wondering why other anchors don't use the 'net so effectively to communicate with viewers. "Our show was a bit of a technical nightmare last night," she writes, and explains what happened. // Best quote: "It is too bad we don't have a camera in the makeup room in the bureau. That is where you see people interact and talk about matters in a much more relaxed forum." Greta gives this site a shoutout, too, so welcome to new visitors. Hope it becomes a must-read for you... 8:21:30 PM

Ashleigh Anchors 'News' Again
Ashleigh Banfield hosted 'The News' on CNBC again tonight. Is she John Seigenthaler's primary fill-in now, or is this just a temporary Friday stint? (Hat tip: MSNBC MSN group) 8:20:46 PM

Reese Reiterates Call for 'Dobbs on Jobs'
After reading the WSJ piece on Lou Dobbs, Reese Schonfeld reiterates his recommendation for CNN: "do a weekly half-hour roundup "Dobbs on Jobs.'" "I think Dobbs performed an important service," Reese says. Earlier this year, he asked: "When can Dobbs get CNN to do a full half-hour report every weekend on the job drain? That kind of reporting builds an audience." 8:04:14 PM

Taking NBC's 'Faith' Further: An Example from Europe
Ed in London writes in with thoughts on my suggestion for MSNBC: "Watching Sky News over here proves it can work...they take one issue and spread it out over their afternoon coverage. Most recently it's the fear that Eastern European immigrants are going to overrun the UK when they join the European Union in May. So, they brought on members of parliament for and against the issue, they measured the economic pros and cons, and then most dramatically, they sent a crew to Hungary to interview those that want to immigrate to the UK and directly asked them why they wanted to come. They had two people standing in front of the Budapest skyline and the two were very candid about their desires. It was great journalism. Rick Kaplan, if you're reading this, why not consider it? I'm sure Neal and Jeff would like anything that brings in warm bodies with remotes." 1:30:02 PM

"Will MSNBC ever be Must-See TV News?"
...That's a question Marvin Kitman asks. Good quote: "I don't think CNN or Fox should take him for granted. If there's any movement in MSNBC's ratings, it will be like seeing a body in the morgue suddenly moving. Just when they are thinking of starting the autopsy, according to this scenario, Kaplan pounds on the chest and the stiff is revived." 9:14:40 AM

"Only Fox News showed the truth" in Iraq, soldier says
Quoting the Fresno Bee: "When U.S. Marine Cpl. Chad Hardcastle wants to know about Iraq, he turns on Fox News. "Only Fox News showed the truth" of the Iraq War, said Hardcastle, who fought in it...Hardcastle said that U.S. troops got caught in the worst sandstorm in 100 years, but only Fox News reported what really mattered to the troops: "The rain that followed uncovered land mines." The suddenly visible land mines could be avoided, saving lives," the article says... 9:13:16 AM

TV is "trial and error," Steve Friedman says
The NY Post talks to Dennis Miller savior Steve Friedman: "The best way to look at it is that's the way TV is - it's trial and error, and you want to keep the trials and eliminate the errors," Friedman said. "No TV show starts off 100 percent great." Friedman stressed that "Miller's 10-day vacation was pre-planned." If so, that's 1 error that should be eliminated... 9:07:16 AM

Will FOX Mention 'Temptation,' 'Paradise,' 'O.C' in Indecency Special?
John isn't afraid to throw some punches: "So, Fox News Channel's going to do a special on indeceny on television...I guess this means that FNC's going to focus a whole hour on the FOX network, the home of Temptation Island, Paradise Hotel, Joe Millionaire, My Big Fat Obnoxious Dwarf Throwing Contest, and those heartwarming shows like Skin. And let's not forget that new reality show they have coming up that's something like Adam and Eve. And if it wasn't for sex and indecency, Fox News Channel would be nothing. Fox News owes its continued existence to Monica and her blue dress. But somehow, I think this FNC special will be focusing on Janet Jackson and Average Joe and bare breasts on ER." 8:16:49 AM

FOX's Baier Reporting From Afghan Border: bin Laden Catch Imminent?
Is this columnist a conspiracy nut, or is he on to something? From the Naples Daily News: "I have a feeling that Osama bin Laden is about to be captured. The reason behind this prediction is that Fox News Channel's Bret Baier is reporting from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border on military operations in the area. It's my feeling that Baier, the national security correspondent for the network, was sent to the area on a tip from the Bush administration. Why would he be there otherwise? Since Fox seems to be more pro-Bush than any of the other news organizations, it seems to be a reasonable conclusion that he might have some inside information...Keep an eye out for breaking news." 12:46:29 AM

NBC Explores "Power of Faith" Friday
NBC is broadcasting an "in-depth look" at "The Power of Faith" in a "cross-platform special series" all day Friday. 'Today' will do an interview, 'Nightly News' has a package, 'Dateline' has some reports, 'Hardball' will talk to Peggy Noonan, Joe Scarborough will talk to a pastor, CNBC will analyze 'Passion' merchandising, and MSNBC.com will offer streaming video. Good idea -- now take it several steps further, and take it wall-to-wall on MSNBC, from sunrise to sunset. Get people talking. Stand out. Be different, be unique. Compelling, focused television dedicated to a single topic all day -- try it. What do you have to lose, Rick?... 12:45:17 AM

Aaron Brown Calls 9/11 Report Delay "Unconscionable and Indefensible"
Aaron Brown was angry tonight, in a way I have not noticed in the past. "We admit we don't do causes very well on the program, and I don't do outrage very well at all," he introed. "Yet tonight, a cause and an outrage." Brown explained that the Senate Intelligence Committee has approved at two-month extension for the 9/11 commission investigation. He called the move "unconscionable and indefensible." "Perhaps the speaker [Hastert] and his team assume you do not care. I hope they're wrong. I hope you care enough to write them and call them...do it for the victims and their families. Do it for the country that was attacked. Do it for history." Later in the show, Brown noted that his introduction was "comment -- it always is," and noted that the Joe Johns package that aired was a "straight news report." 12:40:09 AM

FOX & Greta Shine Light on Missing Persons
Greta Van Susteren's 'On the Record' has latched onto several missing persons cases across the country recently. FOX has focused on the Hargon family's dissapearance since last week, and she was live from Mississippi "walking the area and talking to people" this week. Tonight, a "special edition" of her program featured missing persons cases, complete with poignant music. "Greta needs YOU!," the graphic on foxnews.com said. "You may have information that could assist in solving today's most chilling cases. Find out how." I love how she has posted photos from the area... 12:38:15 AM

What's Going On in the Minds of CNN HLN Management?
A TVSpy poster asked if CNN Headline News management is happy with "paltry .3 ratings." Interesting responses: "Where do you get that fantasy number?...They certainly don't even hit a .2 some 24-hour periods." But another poster thinks that's "really not bad for a bastard stepchild that has to depend on CNN's scraps." "Management is very unhappy," another person says, "particularly when you consider that they have LOST viewers over the past year in the demographic they try so hard to get...younger viewers." 12:10:03 AM

Debating: Instant Reaction On Newsnight
Aaron chewed the fat with Jeff Greenfield after the debate. Jeff noted the changes since the first debate: "Well for one thing, there's four [instead of ten], so they're slightly more coherent." He called it "the clearest attempt of Edwards to say to the Democrats, 'here's why you have to nominate me.'" Brown said that the conventional wisdom was that Edwards needs a major break-out, and he apparently didn't get it tonight. WSJ's John Harwood told Aaron that the lead was "not a single thing happened to shake John Kerry's position." He said the dynamic of the race hasn't changed. Does that mean Larry King and the panelists failed? 10:59:13 PM

Debating: Some Various Notes
My favorite moment: When Kerry called Bush "a walking contradiction" // Look at this blog-journalism from outside the debate. Why don't the cablers show us this? // Kudos to CNN.com for streaming live video of the debate online (for subscribers only, but still) // Aaron Brown called it "a pretty genteel affair" // This DU poster thought that King was a horrible moderator... 10:35:28 PM

Debating: Web Site Headline Snapshot
A snapshot of the cable news web sites at 10:30pm demonstrate angles in the coverage: CNN.com: "Dems go head-to-head in L.A. debate" ... FOXNews.com: "Dems Focus on Gay Marriage in L.A. Debate" ... MSNBC.com: "California Showdown: Kerry, Edwards define differences in spirited debate." 10:35:00 PM

Debating: Intimate Setting, Interesting Dialogue
The first hour of CNN's Democratic debate has been refreshing -- quite an improvement from previous debates. The roundtable (well, not quite round) creates a more intimate conversation among the candidates. (Other people don't agree, though.) The presence of Kuninich and Sharpton is interesting, though -- what would it be like with just Kerry and Edwards? The auditorium looks great -- but the candidates look tiny on the stage. 10:00:53 PM

Quote of the day
Las Vegas's alt-weekly offers a review of Dennis Miller's show. "The cableverse is crowded with stuff like 'The Daily Show' and 'Tough Crowd'; hell, even MSNBC's 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' features the O-man tossing out smirky one-liners with so much pleasure you'd think he's putting a cigar out on his servant's forehead. Everyone's indulging his inner class clown. What's next? 'Surgery Comedy Hour' with Dr. Sanjay Gupta? Now CNBC has shouldered its way into the act with 'Dennis Miller.' Is it news? Is it entertainment? Or is it hilaritorial polititainment celebrinalysis cheese food product?"
9:50:39 PM

"Could be one of the biggest events of the political season"
Larry King will moderate a Democratic candidate debate tonight on CNN. The 90-minute event will begin at 9:00pm. Aaron Brown will recap the event on a 90-minute Newsnight afterwards. "Four of the Democratic candidates for president come together [tonight] in what could be one of the biggest events of the political season, the CNN/LA Times sponsored debate," one of the newsletters said today...
5:35:40 PM

Dobbs' "Dramatic Shifts of Attitude and Persona"
The Wall Street Journal has a great piece about Lou Dobbs today. He is "on a crusade," they write. Quoting a former CNN VP: "It's really one of the most dramatic shifts of attitude and persona that TV has seen. Lou was always seen by corporate America as a reliable and generally friendly journalist. Now he has shifted 180 degrees and has clearly dedicated his show to criticizing a lot of the way that corporate America does business." The paper ties Dobbs' change to CNN's shift from news to personality-driven programming... 1:48:00 PM

Consequences of Laying Off Locals At CNN Intl.
An anonymous e-mailer responds to a story yesterday about changes at CNN Intl. "I have to laugh about that content-free quote from CNN International's PR" (Here it is.) "What it's really about is producing news shows in Atlanta U.S.A. and reading them off a prompter in Hong Kong and London now that the local producers have been laid off." 1:28:09 PM

Plane Crashes Get Good Ratings Too, Let's Have More of Those
Newsblues quotes a Paula Zahn segment last night on televising car chases.

ZAHN: But, Steve, you would have to acknowledge this stuff rates. Those of us that practice journalism aren't crazy that it's covered the way it's covered, but... RENDALL: Well, really, journalism is professionalism and ratings are not everything. And I think that -- I think nobody knows that better than CNN. I think journalism standards are very important.

I hope she was just playing devil's advocate there... 8:46:54 AM

FOX Plans Indecency Examination
The WashPost and the Hollywood Reporter say that FOX News Channel is planning a one-hour special on the issue of indecency on television. (Are we on the "breaking point?") 8:37:36 AM

ABC Vet Complains About Cable
David Hartman, the original host of ABC's GMA, says that cable news is weak and sensational.
"CNN could put a camera any place on the planet and show something blowing up or someone getting killed and put it on the air and call it news without any context," Hartman said. Note to Mr. Hartman: Your old network does the same thing. More in the Duke U Chronicle... 8:36:42 AM

Cronkite: Cable News is 'Valuable,' but Hollering Pundits are 'Anathema'
Walter Cronkite shares his thoughts on cable news in a Q&A; with the Contra Costa Times: "I see good things and bad things. The 24-hour channels are extremely valuable to the news junkies and for individuals who don't have the time to meet the rigid schedules of the broadcast networks...On the other hand, they're forced to continually fill air time, so they often wind up devoting too much attention to stories that aren't truly important in the overall scheme of things. And, oh, those streamers at the bottom of the screen..." He doesn't like tickers, or screaming pundits: "All that screaming and hollering is absolute anathema for me." 12:38:27 AM

Quote of the day
Variety on the Passion: "Cable news net anchors hustled to pump up the passion, sending bookers on the hunt for Hollywood insiders, Christian clergy, Jewish leaders, media pundits and moviegoers. There were viewer polls and viewer call-ins. There were also clips from the movie -- and not the least violent ones either -- played again and again by Fox News, CNN and MSNBC." The excuse: they are provoking a thoughtful discussion on religion. Is that the real reason?... 11:01:58 PM

Watch CNN On Your Cell Phone -- In Austria
LostRemote reports that "Austrians with Nokia 7600 cell phones can watch a live stream of CNN International." PaidContent adds that "in addition to the live TV option, the service will also have on-demand streaming of selected programs." Here's the press release. It's free at first, and there's no word on how much it will cost thereafter. How about a sliding scale based on amount of use? I'd pay a dollar to turn it on for an hour during a breaking news stories... 11:00:11 PM

CNN's 'Crucial Slip-up' On Kerry's Amendment Stance
CJR's Campaign Desk is watching: "Several cable news networks made the same crucial slip-up yesterday in representing Sen. John Kerry's position on the sensitive issue of a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. CNN got it wrong a total of five separate times -- once each in the persons of Wolf Blitzer, and Larry King, plus three separate times on CNN Headline News." Here's the explanation of the error. "Makes you wonder if the left hand knows what the right hand is doing at CNN," they write... 10:52:24 PM

New CNN VP to Focus on Branding and Promotional Deals
Evan Messinger, formerly a senior VP at Univision is joining CNN to "help brand" the channel. Variety reports: "Messinger will serve in the newly created position of senior VP for strategic integration, responsible for brand integration and promotional deals. He will report to CNN chief operating officer for ad sales and marketing Greg D'Alba, who announced the appointment Tuesday." Because promotional deals are exactly what will turn CNN around...? 6:44:59 PM

Clarification
For about 25 minutes this afternoon, a headline on CableNewser said that "Bremner Hasn't Signed With FOX, Source Says." This headline has been withdrawn. A contract has not been signed, but Ms. Bremner is
appearing exclusively on FOX. 6:43:01 PM

Ball-Busting: Annihilation Live on MSNBC
MSNBC P.R. sent out a heads-up for tomorrow's curse-breaking: "MSNBC will present live coverage of the Steve Bartman Ball destruction on MSNBC’s 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' Thursday...Grant Deporter, Managing Director of Harry Caray’s Restaurant, and Jim Warren, a local Chicagoan, talk with Keith about what the destruction of the ball means for the city of Chicago and the Cubs." "[Wednesday] we'll have a dry-run on how that little sucker might be annihilated," the newsletter said today... 3:36:55 PM

CNN Intl. Programming Changes, Part Two
More programming changes at CNN International, this time out of London. "CNN Today" is replacing "BizNews" in the mornings, and several changes are planned for primetime. "This new programming is about defining our positioning, building upon the very strong relationship we have with our viewers and providing a strong platform for our advertisers," Rena Golden says. The changes premiere March 1st. Digital Spy has more. 3:29:24 PM

Growing Pains for CNBC Prime
"Growing pains for Dennis Miller's and Tina Brown's new shows mirror the network's struggle as it reinvents its prime-time lineup" is the subject of an LA Times story today. I'd tell you all about it, but the idiots at CalendarLive hide everything behind a paid registration wall. They'll learn... 3:28:28 PM

Dennis Miller: Lazy?; Ten Days to Revamp
Dennis Miller is taking ten days off, beginning this Friday. All next week, CNBC will air "encore presentations." Why? Because Steve Friedman is retooling. The revamped show will premiere Tuesday, March 9 -- that's when the audience is coming in, he told viewers last night. He also dropped the 'Word of the Day' segment, an e-mailer writes in. "For once I enjoyed every segment of the show"... 3:03:53 PM

Another Great 'Idea' Tonight
Kudos once again this week to Donny Deutsch's 'Big Idea' show. It's airing again tonight, with these guests: Michael J. Fox, Bernard Kerik, Mark Cuban, Lachlan Murdoch, "adult actress" Savanna Samson, and Gene Simmons. What other show offers that variety? Tonight at 10... 3:03:18 PM

Avid Technology Incorporated at MSNBC
"NBC expands its Avid broadcast news workflow to include long-form editing at MSNBC," Avid Technology announced today. The press release has details... 2:12:52 PM

Last Week's News Viewer Index
Cynopsis has the news viewer index for February 16 to 22. In total day, "Fox News had 47% of the viewing, CNN 28%, MSNBC 13%; and Headline News 12%." In primetime, "Fox News had 50%, CNN 31%, MSNBC 11% and Headline News 8%." Reese says that the numbers seemed to be remaining pretty constant... 1:20:13 PM

Hosts: How Far Is Too Far?
John writes in on the multicultural idea: "MSNBC should try and get Chris Rock to host a show. Put him on at the same time as Larry King and Hannity and Colmes. Then you can say goodbye to those two shows. Then put Olbermann on after Chris Rock, and say goodbye to Aaron Brown and Greta. And Chris Rock knows his politics. He's funny. He's used to going live. He appeals to all audiences, and he won't be afraid to say something controversial." But do we really want a comedian hosting a show on a news network? Oh, wait a second...At least Rock would be funny. 10:44:29 AM

CNN Intl. Programming Changes, Part One
Some changes are in the works at CNN International, Indiantelevision.com reports. "News broadcaster CNN International has announced that from 1 March it will rebrand two of its Hong Kong based shows. News Biz Today will be replaced with CNN Today while World News Asia will replace Asia Now." Also: A paper out of Dubai, UAE says that CNN's Arabic web site is quite popular... 9:38:20 AM

The "super duper extra special election campaign desk!"
Chris Matthews is staying up late tonight, coming back at 11pm for a second live edition of Hardball as Idaho, Utah, and Hawaii cast votes. "We'll have our wing ding political panel: Howard, Norah, Trippi & Peggy," the newsletter says today. "We've even ordered the super duper extra special election campaign desk from world headquarters in Secaucus just for tonight." 9:17:25 PM

The Challenges of Being a Booker
Aaron Brown explains that Bush's stance on gay marriage leaves more questions than answers. "This first sentence is easy. The President said today he wants a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. The rest of this story is far more complicated." Andrew Sullivan will be the gay rep tonight. "Booking this segment got a little tricky," Brown explains. "Dr. Dobson [Chairman of Focus on the Family] would not appear with a proponent so we will do the two interviews separately." 9:15:55 PM

Who Should Host A Multicultural MSNBC Show?
Oliver Willis references Andrew Grossman's suggestion that MSNBC should reach out to America's minority population: "I'm getting a little tired of this game. MSNBC has once again had a management change at the top. Their best show is Keith Olbermann on Countdown, and Hardball is fun for political junkies - but the channel needs an appointment program, something to stand out from O'Reilly and King. I should be the host of that show." Any other self-nominations? 9:09:34 PM

Quote of the day
Jay Rosen at PressThink: "Overholser is saying: we don't have one model of political journalism any more, there's two. Our long history with a partisan press is being revived by Fox, and there will be others. (She resigned from the National Press Foundation board when it gave an award to Fox News anchor Brit Hume.) Let the case be made for the revival of partisan rules in journalism. Let the gods of objectivity restate their case against. Any way you look at it, this is a political argument the press needs to have-- about itself." 9:01:22 PM

Media Notes: Birthdays, Mistakes, and Jesus Christ
It's Paula Zahn's 48th birthday today // Did anyone notice that this AP story, picked up by MSNBC.com, spelled a name wrong in the headline? // DCRTV Dave notes: "At 4:25 today, Neil Cavuto had a guy on who claimed that if Jesus Christ returned today he'd be a Republican and vote for Bush." Scary... 4:42:01 PM

Poor, Poor Tina
Hmmm...'Tim Russert' will pre-empt Tina Brown's show this Sunday evening. You think that has any relation to her embarassing ratings? (NBC press release) 2:32:30 PM

CNN Ax Followup: Let's See That PR Handbook
Newsblues notes that the CNN spokesperson quote referenced below isn't new: "...this quote is IDENTICAL to the words issued a year ago, when CNN cleared out several well-known correspondents. We suspect it is part of a media response handbook at PR headquarters." Eternal gratitude to anyone who wants to photocopy that handbook and send it my way... 10:04:09 AM

CNN Axes Employees to "distribute resources around the company"
Lloyd Grove lists the names of the newly departed at CNN (Feldman, Boettcher, Osbourne, Cabell), and asks a spokesperson for comment: "It's true that some people have recently left the company but it's also true that some have just joined. What you're seeing is the normal ebb and flow of any business and an attempt to better distribute resources around the company." Firing veteran correspondents with bulging rolodexes helps to distribute resources more effectively? 8:05:19 AM

Liberals Don't Like FOX Ads In 'Nation'
Quoting a great clip in the NY Daily News: "Dozens of irate readers canceled their subscriptions to The Nation when the liberal weekly twice carried ads for the right-leaning Fox News Channel..."We're fair and balanced, so why wouldn't we advertise in The Nation?" Fox spokesman Paul Schur asked. Nation publisher Victor Navasky said slyly, "It must pay them to do it, unless they're trying to cut back our subscription base." Very very clever... (Hat tip: MediaNews) 8:04:52 AM

"Real danger" for Journalists in Haiti
Kerry Sanders, reporting from Haiti, in a Q&A; on msnbc.com: "There is real danger on the ground. Some journalists have been attacked. But, we [NBC] are wearing our helmets and our flak jackets. We have not been threatened at all. We hope to keep it that way." 7:58:31 AM

"MSNBC Needs An Identity;" Minority News Viewers Ignored?
This Hollywood Reporter piece about the challenges Rick Kaplan faces at MSNBC is picked up by reuters. "MSNBC Needs An Identity," the title says. Highlights:
> "Politically, Kaplan made all the right noises and soothed an anxious staff.
> "Stability aside, bold moves are Zucker's forte, and if Kaplan's much-touted savvy fails to spark a revival, new on-air talent will probably arrive faster than you can say Joe Scarborough.
> "Skeptics say MSNBC has nowhere to maneuver, but there is a huge, ignored niche: the 90 million minority population that is practically voiceless on the all-news channels." 7:25:21 AM

Former CNN'er Costello to MSNBC or FOX?
Quoting DCRTV: "A bunch of TV industry trade pubs are reporting rumors that former Channel 7/WJLA news anchor Carol Costello is being courted by MSNBC and Fox News. A while back, Costello left 7 for a gig at CNN..." 10:44:27 PM

Shales Disses Miller; "CNBC could stand for 'Changing NBC'"
Tom Shales in TVWeek pulls all the punches: "CNBC could stand for "Changing NBC" after all the programming and personnel alterations it's gone through....Miller's is kind of a news program and kind of a comedy program and fails at both. Is CNBC a news channel or a chat channel? The status practically changes hour to hour. Its daytime schedule is solid, of course; nighttime is the hazardous inner city where drive-by cancellations are rampant." He suggests that the channel should play "jolly old records of band music played without interruption," the way HBO used to do. "It was nice. It was pleasant. So why not give up on the thankless task of reinventing CNBC and bring back that band music? It might get a 1 rating, which would be better than Miller does." 10:34:39 PM

Flock Will Be Missed
Jeff Flock said goodbye last night. The Chicago Tribune writes up the farewell party, held at the Sears Tower for about 100 friends and colleagues. "This has been 24 years of my life, and I feel more positive about CNN today than I felt a while ago," Flock said. "I think this network is moving in a wonderful direction." 10:44:58 AM

"Cops and court officials talk familiarly about 'Greta' and 'Geraldo'"
The San Francisco Chronicle remembers "that frenzied year" when the Scott Peterson trial took over the streets around the Stanislaus County Courthouse. "Downtown Modesto was filled with the nation's media stars," the paper says. Sad: "Cops and court officials talk familiarly about "Greta" (Van Susteren of Fox) and "Geraldo" (the famous one-word Fox industry), and for a while there, it was all pretty heady stuff." "But now that Tent City has been dismantled," they write, and reflect... 10:44:47 AM

WashTimes: "Softball at CNN"
The Washington Times accuses Judy Woodruff of ignoring important questions about John Kerry, in an editorial titled "Softball at CNN"... 9:48:50 AM

Is Chris Matthews MSNBC's Best Bet?
In USA Today, Peter Johnson compliments Chris Matthews. "The brightest light on Kaplan's roster is Matthews' Hardball," he writes. A quote from former Clinton spokesman Jake Siewert: Chris's "reservoir of practical knowledge separates him from a lot of the airbags out there in the cable wasteland." 9:46:14 AM

Is This Bias, or Just "Cluelessness and Idiocy?"
Vodkapundit says that "if you ever wonder why CNN is accused of bias, look no further than the words of their own correspondents," and points to a report on the elections in Iran. The comments are especially interesting: "I don't think it's necessarily bias, I think it's just a narrow worldview combined with cluelessness and idiocy." Another: "CNN has more to worry about than bias in this case. Sloppy journalism and a complete vacancy of history and context are for more egregious errors here." Find out what the fuss is about here. (Hat tip: Instapundit) 1:32:10 AM

Hume Compares FOX News to a Pirate Ship
The WashPost Out & About column dishes about the National Press Foundation dinner: "Of course no one in the room could resist a little shop talk (especially about Hume's award, which caused Geneva Overholser to resign from the NPF board in protest over what she called Fox News's "ideologically connected journalism"). "I think this award honors Fox News more than it honors me," Hume said. "We're kind of like a pirate ship and they've finally let us into port." 1:23:33 AM

"Fair and balanced" uttered on MSNBC
Quoting Howie in the Post this morning: "MSNBC anchor Laurie Jennings was conducting a routine interview with Bob Dole last week when she asked about Vice President Cheney and his former company, Halliburton. "He hasn't been in Halliburton for years...I don't think most Americans buy that, despite the liberal media's efforts, like MSNBC, to push it every day," the former Republican senator said. When Jennings protested that MSNBC was trying to be fair, Dole retorted: "Keep trying. You're a long way from it, but keep trying. . . . Don't slant it." Dole then trotted out Fox News's trademark phrase, saying coverage should be "fair and balanced."" 1:22:57 AM

Reliable Sources Discusses "Journalists' Full Employment Act"
Today's Reliable Sources transcript is up. Among the topics: "Are journalists just trying to keep the Democratic race alive?" CBS News reporter Terence Smith calls the focus on Edwards akin to a "journalists' full employment act." "The news media are a special interest like any other. Their special interest is in a story. So they promote a story." Smith says. 7:39:37 PM

! Walton, CNN, and the Future
A top-notch piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution today uses CNN head Jim Walton's leadership style as a frame to examine changes at the channel. Highlights:
> "He could prove to be one of the most important figures in CNN's 24-year history"
> Leon Harris, on the Chung show cancellation: "That made people say, 'Whoa, this guy is for real.' That is when his philosophy was first felt."
> "He installed foosball tables at the CNN Center headquarters. He took a gamble by staging an "American Idol"-style employee talent contest."
> Univ of GA professor: "The test is whether or not they can increase ratings while keeping up their credibility and their focus. I think they can do it but it hasn't happened yet." 1:30:08 PM

'Breaking Point' May Make You Mad, Vester Says
Linda Vester tells viewers about researching her 'Breaking Point' documentary on border controls tonight. "I have to say, I was blown away by the things that I found out in the course of doing this special. The more I researched, the more I started getting anonymous tips from the intelligence community about the state of our borders...Some of the things you learn in 'Breaking Point' may make you mad, but it's information you should have." I'd be impressed by their research, if it wasn't presented using scare tactics. More... 1:25:58 PM

CNN Explores 'The Mystery of Jesus' Tonight
CNN premieres a new documentary tonight. 'The Mystery of Jesus' "explores historical evidence and current theories surrounding Jesus the man," a press release says. Producers spent a year traveling the US and Europe to film the program; Liam Neeson narrates. This review in the Star-Telegram gives the docu a B. Also tonight, People in the News profiles Mel Gibson. If you don't see the connection between these two shows, you must live in a bubble... 1:25:50 PM

"Can You Say Age Discrimination?"
84 messages and counting on a TVSpy thread about CNN. Along with the management-bashing come these points: "Never, ever turn 45 at CNN, unless you're in the upper tier on-air echelon," a poster says, and lists the veteran employees who have kissed the network goodbye. "Can you say age discrimination?," another post asks... 1:54:36 AM

"Leaving the objectivity God behind:" More Feedback
Geneva Overholser's Poynter column has resulted in some interesting comments on her weblog. Check them out. Also: Chuck submits a clever remark via e-mail: "Wow! If I make a slam against the media, and I come up with a puny quote, can I have extensive, special, FNC-bashing coverage on CableNewser?" It was never FNC-bashing; it's future-thinking, and FNC seems to be the future... | What is this thread about?     1:45:47 AM