CNN is trying to gain viewers by imitating right-wing Fox News.
This week, CNN Headline News announced it will give a full primetime hour to right-wing talk radio host Glenn Beck.1 In the past month, CNN hired former Gingrich-era Republican congressman J.C. Watts2 and reportedly hired Reagan cabinet secretary Bill Bennett3 as on-air news analysts. Yet CNN has hired no progressive voices.
Variety magazine reports CNN "will look to build Beck into the type of TV personality that could siphon viewers from Bill O'Reilly, Joe Scarborough and other conservative hosts."4 Why is CNN imitating Fox News? CNN's president thinks progressives don't care, saying "they don't get too worked up about anything."5 It's time for us to strike back""hard.
CNN in New York City
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The hiring of right-wingers isn't just a minor misstep by CNN executives""they are becoming accomplices in the right-wing's war on journalism, caving to years of right-wing pressure.
Glenn Beck, the right-winger getting his own hour-long show, isn't just a little bit conservative""he's about as controversial as it gets. Our friends at watchdog group Media Matters for America have collected just a few of his outlandish comments:
On families of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks: "[T]his is horrible to say, and I wonder if I'm alone in this""you know, it took me about a year to start hating the 9-11 victims' families? Took me about a year."
On Hurricane Katrina survivors who remained in New Orleans: "And that's all we're hearing about, are the people in New Orleans. Those are the only ones that we're seeing on television are the scumbags...It's just a small percentage of those who were left in New Orleans, or who decided to stay in New Orleans, and they're getting all the attention."
Talking to a caller who claimed to have tortured prisoners in U.S. custody: "I've got to tell you, I appreciate your service ... Good for you. Good for""I mean, good for you...I have to tell you, when all is said and done, I'm glad people like you are on our side."
On filmmaker Michael Moore: "Hang on, let me just tell you what I'm thinking. I'm thinking about killing Michael Moore, and I'm wondering if I could kill him myself, or if I would need to hire somebody to do it. No, I think I could. I think he could be looking me in the eye, you know, and I could just be choking the life out""is this wrong?"
On the father of Nick Berg, American civilian executed in Iraq: "The want to be a better person today than I was yesterday says he's a dad, he's grieving, but I don't buy that. I'm sorry, I don't buy it. I think he is grieving, but I think he's a scumbag as well. I don't like this guy at all."4
Progressives have no voice on CNN. Hiring right-winger Glenn Beck as a full-time host, and J.C. Watts and Bill Bennett as on-air news analysts, is unacceptable.
CNN needs to hear from you""please contact them now.
CNN in New York City
(212) 275-7800 (Ask for comment line)
Calling is most effective. But if you can't call or if the switchboard is closed, you can e-mail CNN using this webform:
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