MSM Biggie, Garrick Utley Of NBC, Says TV Network News Is Doomed: "The Jig Is Up."

BuzzMachine ^ | Jeff Davis

[MindBender26]

At "The Week's" event yesterday, I was lucky to sit next to Garrick Utley, legendary NBC News correspondent, and Myron Kandel of CNN. They need no introductions. I introduce myself as an internet exec and also a blogger.

So Utley asks what impact blogs are having on big media. He says he gave a commentary after the '92 election that said that politics is forever changed into a new kind of conversation.

We talked about how it's too bad there are no commentaries from network anchors anymore (or I said that because I think it's part of meeting the need for transparency).

Utley talked about his father's career in radio, which used to be filled with commentary: They read the news and then they told you what they thought about it, from one side or the other. Talk radio today is no different, he said, only they talk longer.

I asked about the fate of network news. Utley said the jig was up a decade ago.

I asked what they'd advise students trying to go into journalism today. They each shrugged, regretfully. Utley wondered whether anyone could make a living in this new medium.

Here's the point: Utley (whom I spoke with more than with Kandel) really gets it. He is, in all sense of the word, an old media guy. But he gets it. Even from a brief conversation at a crowded table, it's clear that he understands exactly where the news business is today. And well he should; he has seen it all and done it all.

(exerpted)

[MindBender26]

It's why I bailed 10 years ago.... and I was getting too old for all the NY-driven BS from the young far-left snots.

[1Old Pro]

Yep, it's in decline. The only question will be just how insignificant the old media becomes and when does it reach bottom.

[truthandlife]

Garrick Utley

[MindBender26]

Dan was a big help.....

[Red Badger]

The tree is starting to lean......cracking sounds are beginning....

[The Great RJ]

The reason network news anchors are dinosaurs has a lot to do with their elitist attitudes. Thet got used to telling their audience what it is in a condescending manner rather than simply reporting what happened. Listen to the likes of Edward R. Murrow...he reported what he saw and heard, and while he emphasized points for drama he didn't "spin" or slant what he was reporting. Contrast this with the likes of Dan Rather who conciously seeks to slant whatever he reports to fit his view of the world and then verbally shoves it down the listeners throat.

It is little wonder that given a choice vast segments of the audience are turning to cable news and Internet media.

[MadAnthony1776]

The MSM is like an alcoholic. You can't help it until it is ready to admit it's broken and wants to fix what's wrong.

[kellynla]

I disagree, I think FOX could do a one hour nightly news program on their commercial channels across America and make Brit Hume and maybe Tony Snow co-anchors and FOX would kick series butt!!!
it's all about credibility and CBS,NBC&ABC have zero credibility on the network news shows...
everyone knows those clowns are biased. LOL

[AmericanInTokyo]

These guys in the past, due to their slanted reporting, ignoring of stories, biased text, editing, sound-biting out of context, and even clever camera angles and visual effects, could make or break an American Presidential candidate's aspirations. They had THAT MUCH POWER.

Promoting some shamelessly (like Jimmy Carter) while trying to torpedo others (George Wallace, or Reagan when he took on Ford).

Now it is WE who can tear down these guys, like (snap!) that, overnight, via the Internet. I love the POWER.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Turn out the lights, the party's over.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Garrick Utley was one of my favorites when I was in the scribbling profession.

[1Old Pro]

I think FOX could do a one hour nightly news program on their commercial channels across America

I've wondered shy they didn't do more "somulcasting" on their local affiliates. They would reach more people.

[piperpilot]

ping

[BillyCrockett]

Yep...the news today is as fast as the speed of light from all over the world. And most of the "reporters" don't have to be paid. They are the witnesses to the actual news event unfolding. What the hell do we need a talking head to tell us what the unpaid "volunteer" does for nothing? That the MSM really went to openly supporting the Dems makes it's fall that the more sweet!

[RBroadfoot]

I haven't watched a full 30-minute ABCCBSNBC "news" show in probably 20 years, but I would watch Hume-Snow News if it were broadcast on one of the broadcast networks.

But I'm not sure that the demographics are large enough to support such a show. I'm one of the few people I know that still doesn't subscribe to cable. The majority of households already have Fox News, CNN, etc. on cable.

[EdReform]

MSM Ping

[MindBender26]

.... and I keep seeing this picture in my mind of Jim Robinson with a chain saw....

[MindBender26]

Were you a Pencil?

[leadpenny]

I knew someone who thought his name was, Gary Gutley.