Charles Gibson thinks old-style news more vital now

Chicago Tribune ^ | 2/9/07 | Phil Rosenthal

[Cat loving Texan]

Gibson thinks old-style news more vital now

Published February 9, 2007, 7:49 AM CST

On a day when his "World News" would open with new findings on the prevalence of autism in this country rather than the death of model/litigant Anna Nicole Smith, ABC anchor Charles Gibson was thinking aloud.

Now that people get what they want the way they want on the Internet, where does that leave those mainstream media outlets that, in traditional fashion, pair the news people want with the news it is thought they need?

"I'm getting on a high horse here, and I haven't really worked this through, but in many respects the oft-now-derided MSM become more important rather than less important in the Web age," said Gibson, who will anchor "World News" from Chicago on Monday and Tuesday.

[Cat loving Texan]

Old media touting its importance yet again.

[NonValueAdded]

"It's a good buggy whip, the best you can buy," Gibson seemed to be saying with his musing, "it is important that every home have access to one - but not for use on the children!"

[TomGuy]

The main reason the evening network news is watched is because people turn the TV on to get their local news.

Many times the network 1/2 hour is sandwiched between two 1/2 hour local news broadcasts.

No, Charlie, they aren't tuning in to watch you. They are tuning in to watch their local and you happen to be on the channel either before or following their local.

[RJL]

Now that people get what they want the way they want on the Internet, where does that leave those mainstream media outlets that, in traditional fashion, pair the news people want with the news it is thought they need?

Charlie pining for the old days when they could ram their liberal bias down our throats with impunity.

Wonderfully those days are gone.

[Madeleine Ward]

I think a serious nightly news would be welcome, considering EVERY Fox news program from 5 pm on through Greta had Anna Nicole Smith as the main story.

I'm sorry, but I kept turning the channel. What a tragic end, but millions of people die every day, and I don't think this particular death is what I consider Newsworthy. Tabloid, yes, but not news.

I hope her daughter has a chance at a decent, stable life.

[GulfBreeze]

Ditto

[TomGuy]

It is ridiculous.

All day yesterday: Nicole Smith dies.

All day today: Nicole Smith autopsy.

===

The newsies are stuck on tabloid journalism. Even FoxNews it bad about it.

Oh for the good ole days when FoxNews would break for car chases! At least they had some element of excitement and wonderment.

[Clioman]

Sorry, Charlie...people want tv that tastes good, not tv with good taste.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

Now that people get what they want the way they want on the Internet, where does that leave those mainstream media outlets that, in traditional fashion, pair the news people want with the news it is thought they need?

"It's a defense of journalism," Gibson said. "It's not that we know better. ... It's not an elitist function. It's an editorial function. It is a function of taking a look at what's important in diet of daily news and saying, `Here's what I feel is important.'"

...."here's what they need Mapes....and it's important"..

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