Last night, I got to see the video of Glenn Reynolds taking CNN to task to their faces, and it got me thinking.
1) CNN has refused to run the Mohammed cartoons, out of "respect" for Islamic sensitivities. This "respect" is not only depriving their viewers of the chance to exercise their own judgment on whether or not the cartoons are so patently offensive, but actually aiding and abetting the fomenters of the riots -- the most offensive of the cartoons being waved around were not only never published by the newspaper, but were most likely fabricated by the Imams who triggered the riots.
2) CNN has willingly admitted that during the 1990's, they willingly suppressed stories and information about Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq out of fears of losing their "access." They chose to censor themselves and deprive their viewers of facts and stories for the purpose of coddling favor with a brutal, genocidal tyrant.
At what point do we decide that a media outlet like CNN, which can easily be swayed to kill stories by threats (explicit or implicit) of violent retaliation, has outlived its usefulness? At what point can it be argued that they have forfeited their First Amendment rights by failing to exercise them?
On the latter, it's easy. They never do. Rights left unexercised do not go away. CNN will, to its dying day, have those rights.
But at some point, we should look at them and decide whether or not they are a journalistic institution that deserves official recognition, official creditation, and access to events that other, braver, more honest, more worthy journalistic institutions are granted. Because it seems to me that CNN has taken the good will it may have earned in its first couple of decades and flushed it right down the crapper.
All in the name of "sensitivity" and "respect" and "access."




Comments (10)
The question is "Who is CNN... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Rodney A Stanton | February 12, 2006 6:46 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The question is "Who is CNN respectful of and to whom are they sensative?" Jews and Christians are not going to be part of the answer.
1. Posted by Rodney A Stanton | February 12, 2006 6:46 AM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 06:46
2. Posted by Eneils Bailey | February 12, 2006 7:35 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"CNN" and "crapper" in the same sentence really says it all. I think some viewers have decided CNN is no longer a trustworthy journalistic institution. They will always have a certain segment of staunch supporters and believers, the rest of us have voted with our remotes.
2. Posted by Eneils Bailey | February 12, 2006 7:35 AM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 07:35
3. Posted by Kim Priestap | February 12, 2006 8:16 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Apparently, television viewers already think CNN is outgrowing its usefulness. Its ratings have been falling through the floor.
3. Posted by Kim Priestap | February 12, 2006 8:16 AM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 08:16
4. Posted by don surber | February 12, 2006 8:57 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If blogs have overtaken MSM, why is Glenn on CNN?
4. Posted by don surber | February 12, 2006 8:57 AM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 08:57
5. Posted by Bryce | February 12, 2006 9:08 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Because CNN is trying to use Glenn Reynolds to show its relevance? Note that CNN must believe him to be, at the least, a person of some expertise to have him on the show.
5. Posted by Bryce | February 12, 2006 9:08 AM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 09:08
6. Posted by JAT | February 12, 2006 10:47 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Frankly, I am glad Glen was on CNN. What Glen said needs to be heard by the few that watch that channel. Glen echoed what I think a lot of people are saying. 1) Everyone needs to see these cartoons to make their own decision; and 2) We, as free people, can and will say, do, write or draw what we like.
I am free to choose not to be assimilated into any culture or religion that I find not to my liking. And I find Islam offensive.
We need to preserve our freedom.
6. Posted by JAT | February 12, 2006 10:47 AM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 10:47
7. Posted by robert | February 12, 2006 11:21 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
For the benefit of your younger readers, CNN was a 24-hour cable news channel that once owned the segment. While ratings may no longer be directly measurable, it is thought that CNN continues to broadcast.
As evidence, some say that CNN can sometimes be seen playing on TVs in the coffee rooms of older hotels in rundown parts of town.
For students and researchers, select CNN programs such as:
(1) The Challenger disaster, and how it was caused by Reagan.
(2) The homeless, and how they were caused by Reagan.
(3) The Great Chicago Fire, and how it was caused by Reagan.
Can be found at the Library of Congress.
7. Posted by robert | February 12, 2006 11:21 AM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 11:21
8. Posted by crazy | February 12, 2006 11:26 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Can somebody explain why it's OK for the Muslim press and Islamic protestors to show these offensive images in order to inform their viewers and followers what it is they should be so upset about??
If they're really so upset about these blasphemous and graven images where did they see them and why do they keep showing them?
8. Posted by crazy | February 12, 2006 11:26 AM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 11:26
9. Posted by jocrazy0 | February 12, 2006 4:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
CNN? CNN? Who watches CNN anymore? A pitiful shell of their former selves they have decended into that "crazy old aunt" category, embarrasingly acknowleged to exist, but ignored as irrelevant (add CBS and NBC here also). They have one use, to provide the antithesis, the bad example held up for your children's enlightenement.
9. Posted by jocrazy0 | February 12, 2006 4:05 PM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 16:05
10. Posted by epador | February 12, 2006 11:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I wonder is AJ network is holding back on all those offensive videos of folks burning American flags and beheading hostages in an attempt to show some respect to America?
When that happens, perhaps we should think about the cartoon madness. Until then, publish on, and continue to ignore the crappy news nulls.
10. Posted by epador | February 12, 2006 11:57 PM |
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Posted on February 12, 2006 23:57