My mother seems to always have the cable news network CNN on the television. As a journalism major and a political science minor, I'm interested in current events; so I'll watch it with her sometimes or at least take a glance over every now and then. However, I've come to realize that I cannot stand CNN's coverage (even in comparison with other cable news channels), and I think CNN's style represents a dangerous trend in broadcast journalism.
The obsession to appear objective drives CNN to present two sides to every story. Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with neutrality, but there is something wrong with bringing in two "experts" or pundits to argue with each other about every major story. CNN turns a news story into a constant argument between liberals and conservatives, union leaders and business leaders, and pro-this versus anti-that. The only way to objectively cover a story is to consider the truth. Sometimes, the truth favors on side of the argument, and the public should know the facts. Instead, CNN would lead us to believe that every conflict is a 50-50 battle where both arguments have equal validity.
CNN's political coverage is perhaps even partly responsible for the ideological polarization gripping America today. You're either a liberal Democrat or a conservative Republican like their pundits. This dichotomy allows for simplification of complex issues like healthcare, tax reform, social programs, foreign policy, etc.. The moderate view is usually absent from their analysis, and their analysis is rarely ever in-depth.
John Stewart routinely criticizes CNN for similiar reasons. Below is a recent video where he mocks the obsession of CNN anchors with whether a story is "a good thing or a bad thing." Stewart appropriately calls the network out for trying to dumb down the news.
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