CNN Chief Orders 'Balance' in War News

Washington Post ^ | 10/31/2001 | Howard Kurtz

[Pokey78]

The chairman of CNN has ordered his staff to balance images of civilian devastation in Afghan cities with reminders that the Taliban harbors murderous terrorists, saying it "seems perverse to focus too much on the casualties or hardship in Afghanistan."

In a memo to his international correspondents, Walter Isaacson said: "As we get good reports from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, we must redouble our efforts to make sure we do not seem to be simply reporting from their vantage or perspective. We must talk about how the Taliban are using civilian shields and how the Taliban have harbored the terrorists responsible for killing close to 5,000 innocent people."

[CWOJackson]

Amazing...good find.

Tell Bob high for me.

[Timesink]

Let us never forget that by giving this order, Isaacson is AGREEING with us that CNN has been wildly biased up until now! There would be no need for such a memo if CNN had already been biased!

Woodruff will probably resign tomorrow, of course. <grin>

[Balding_Eagle]

Saw the headline and honestly thought he was insisting that CNN show more of Taliban side of the issues and war.

Still kinda think thats what he means..........

[Penny1]

I think the Lord is also moving peoples' hearts to speak up and be heard...and to turn the channel. Last night, Fox News' ads were personal emails from people around the world saying things along the lines of, "I'm so glad we have Fox News now, before we were stuck with CNN...." (I'm paraphrasing drastically there, but you get the idea). 4 out of 5 emails/ads said something derogatory about CNN while praising and expressing appreciation for Fox News.

And last night, there was a long, flashy, full-blown ad for CNN broadcast on the Fox News Channel during primetime.

Heeheehee....capitalism is sweet sometimes.... ;)

-penny

[MississippiMan]

Nah, this can't be true. A CNN exec trying to make any effort at all toward "balanced" coverage? Staggering.

MM

[piasa]

...CNN is trying to stop the bleeding of their ratings. However, if a jackass flies, even if it's only for ten feet, you've gotta be impressed.

ROTFLMAO

[Randy Larsen]

"CNN Chief Orders 'Balance' in War News

Yeah, right....

[Reborn]

"I want to make sure we're not used as a propaganda platform," Isaacson said in an interview yesterday.

Yeah, and ol' Slick is going to become a Republican. LOL
Don't you believe it!!! Censored News Network (can't use the word terrorist, like Reuters) is a loser. For the only REALLY balanced news watch FOX!

[vbmoneyspender]

I'm still waiting for CNN to explain why they haven't been hit with an antrax attack.

Is it because they are the Voice of Al Queda or because they are the Voice of Iraq?

[Lancey Howard]

Whoa.... Now where did my jaw go ? ! ?

[The Vast Right Wing]

The marketplace of ideas truely is a wonderful thing. Thanks foxnews for your service to this country.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Well we will have to see. I have been saying from day one of this thing that everytime they showed "collateral damage" that the Taliban provided CNN should show a split screen showing the collapse of WTC just so that the viewers keep it all in perspective.

[piasa]

Walter Isaacson said: "As we get good reports from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, we must redouble our efforts to make sure we do not seem to be simply reporting from their vantage or perspective.

cynical translation: "We're being too obvious, guys- we must redouble our efforts to make sure we don't get caught reporting extreme left pacifist propaganda."

[Reborn]

Is it because they are the Voice of Al Queda or because they are the Voice of Iraq?

Well said. Either one fits.

[Miss Marple]

I only watch Fox, myself. However, there are many people who only get CNN on their cable, so this is a good thing. I had a friend comment to me about how bad the war was going, and it turned out she was watching CNN. Fortunately, her cable provider had just added Fox, so I told her to switch and she would be in a lot better mood.

Just doing my part, since I bought stock in the company!! THAT'S how much I like Fox!!

[Fester Chugabrew]

If Caruthers says Stingbedder did it, I'll believe Rugsley.

[okie01]

"I want to make sure we're not used as a propaganda platform," Isaacson said in an interview yesterday.

The Soviets used them. Clinton used them. Now, the Taliban and bin Laden are using them.

It's a little late to be locking the barn door on your propaganda whores-for-hire, Walter.

[Shermy]

Damage already done, hope it can be repaired.

I'm still t'd off about the "baby milk factory" story CNN unquestioningly reported over and over during the Gulf War.

[timestax]

bttt

[Lancey Howard]

Walter Isaacson said: "As we get good reports from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, we must redouble our efforts to make sure we do not seem to be simply reporting from their vantage or perspective. We must talk about how the Taliban are using civilian shields and how the Taliban have harbored the terrorists responsible for killing close to 5,000 innocent people."

"We're entering a period in which there's a lot more reporting and video from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan," he said. "You want to make sure people understand that when they see civilian suffering there, it's in the context of a terrorist attack that caused enormous suffering in the United States."

You know, I have to give credit where credit is due. This guy is right on the money.
Now let's see the follow through....