Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on Twitter • Be a Facebook Fan • Tumble us!

04 Jul 2010 12:16

tags

Politics: Anderson Cooper on oil spill media zones: He sounds angry

  • Know what’s been missing from CNN all these months? Stuff like this. The network’s real problem is not that it doesn’t have yakkers, but its model has become tired and unemotional. And you can hear it in Cooper’s voice here. He’s super-emotional, in a “mad as hell and can’t take it anymore” sorta way. Give us a reason to care, CNN, and we’ll come back.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

17 May 2010 10:18

tags

Politics: Did the mass media fly over the Nashville floods?

  • You get Tennessee pride and the feeling that if there was looting here, the national media would be all over it. I think that’s unfair, but that’s the way some people view it.
  • Tennessean editor Mark Silverman • Regarding the way that the mainstream media mostly glossed over a huge story – a massive flood in Nashville that killed 30 people. But why? The simple answer is that there were seemingly bigger, more nuanced stories happening that week, and a major flood seems old hat. It’s absolutely the worst way to think about it, but it seemingly couldn’t compete with terrorism (the failed Times Square bombing, where nobody died) or a slightly-more-epic disaster (the BP oil spill). The truth is, though, the story got underplayed by the usual suspects, to the point where Anderson Cooper took his crew down there later in the week and apologized for not getting down there sooner. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

07 May 2010 10:35

tags

Politics: Some guy: Jon Stewart should replace Katie Couric on CBS News

  • Stewart gets lots of laughs for his pointed commentaries about the news industry’s sacred cows. Perhaps he may secretly yearn to have credibility as a pundit, in addition to the appreciation as a comedian.
  • MarketWatch commentator Jon Friedman • Making a, uh, impassioned plea for CBS to consider “The Daily Show” host as its next anchor – if Katie Couric leaves, that is, which seems likely. His point? He has charisma, and he’s trusted immensely by his younger-leaning audience. Plus, it’d be fun to watch. So, you’re asking, why do we think this is a stupid idea? Because Jon Stewart’s authority as a media commentator is largely the product of his outside-looking-in dynamic. Oh, and he’s a comedian, not a journalist. Oh, and we think Anderson Cooper probably has the inside track for this. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

05 May 2010 11:03

tags

Biz: CNN and CBS News: Two great tastes that taste great together?

  • CNN The news network has been getting
    killed in the ratings, but still has one
    of the best news-gathering crews in
    the industry (when not distracted by
    fluff). And hey, Anderson Cooper!
  • CBS News The network had to cut back on
    their news staff, but sees CNN as a
    way to stay competitive. They’re
    also getting killed in the ratings – oh
    hey, Anderson Cooper! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

07 Mar 2010 23:52

tags

Politics: Max Headroom: John Avlon’s a crackpot, according to crackpots

  • Pot, meet kettle While Harold Ford, Jr. is guilty of nothing but idiocy, it’s certainly a symptom of what is leading to the insane controversy around New York Gov. David Paterson. Ford says Paterson should resign. Because, clearly, Harold Ford Jr. is the right guy to offer this advice.
  • Not very expert-like On “Fox News Sunday,” Chris Wallace deservedly calls neocon icon Bill Kristol an expert at Iraqi foreign policy when asking who he thinks the U.S. would prefer as prime minister. Kristol’s answer? He doesn’t know. Way to prove your theory wrong, Chris.
  • “Hatriot” Games One of Anderson Cooper’s guests in the wake of the Pentagon shooting, John Avlon, came up with the term “Hatriot” to describe the crazy cropping up. Irony: Avlon is being called a crazy by the 9/11 Truther movement, despite making sense in this clip.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Jan 2010 20:27

tags

Politics: On media ethics in Haiti: Stop giving Anderson Cooper crap!

  • We need to make an important point here. (Note the graphic video.) Anderson Cooper saved a young boy’s life here. And this past weekend, Sanjay Gupta kept a hospital afloat. Other doctors and reporters are getting their hands dirty in helping out with one of the worst natural disasters in history. And yet, some media critics are giving them crap for daring to help. We need to clarify this to our readers here, as fellow journalists:
  • one Being a journalist does not instantly mean that you stop caring about other human beings.
  • two It’s easy to remain impartial when you’re not in a disaster zone like Cooper was.
  • three Life and death is not the point where one brings up an ethical fight. It’s unavoidable.
  • four CNN’s editors may be exploiting it, but we’d rather see reporters help out. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

29 Oct 2009 21:46

tags

Politics: If Anderson Cooper is gay, we don’t care. Neither should you.

Anderson Cooper

  • There's a possible chance that Anderson Cooper is gay. There's also a possible chance that you're gay. As well as us. We could possibly be gay. But here's the thing, and this is what Gawker doesn't get: It's our choice whether or not anyone knows about it. And even if we tell the world, it shouldn't be treated like a big deal.
  • Outing not our job Listen, Gawker. We recently gave you props for your handling of the Balloon Boy saga, but we’re not happy with your insistent desire to get the CNN newsman’s sexuality out in the open. You have a huge voice and a great pulpit. Use it to do more than stir up bees’ nests not looking to be stirred up. Focus on things that show that moral compass we know you have. source
  • Outing not our job Listen, Gawker. We recently gave you props for your handling of the Balloon Boy saga, but we’re not happy with your insistent desire to get the CNN newsman’s sexuality out in the open. You have a huge voice and a great pulpit. Use it to do more than stir up bees’ nests not looking to be stirred up. Focus on things that show that moral compass we know you have.
  • How it affects him Anderson Cooper has a career to think about, which we’re sure is why Gloria Vanderbilt’s son is holding back (if he is). But think about it. You have this journalist who’s done a pretty good job of being the objective face of CNN. And if he comes out, he’s the story. That’s not fair to him. If he wants to come out, let him do it. Don’t constantly prod or push. source
  • Outing not our job Listen, Gawker. We recently gave you props for your handling of the Balloon Boy saga, but we’re not happy with your insistent desire to get the CNN newsman’s sexuality out in the open. You have a huge voice and a great pulpit. Use it to do more than stir up bees’ nests not looking to be stirred up. Focus on things that show that moral compass we know you have.
  • How it affects him Anderson Cooper has a career to think about, which we’re sure is why Gloria Vanderbilt’s son is holding back (if he is). But think about it. You have this journalist who’s done a pretty good job of being the objective face of CNN. And if he comes out, he’s the story. That’s not fair to him. If he wants to come out, let him do it. Don’t constantly prod or push.
  • Does it matter? Some would argue that the gay rights movement needs people to come out to help further its goals. We argue that there are better places to push. There’s nothing wrong with being proud about it. There is something wrong with pulling a blanket off someone when they’re naked underneath. That’s what Gawker is doing right now. And it’s wrong. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
<< newer 
top tags