CNN: Layoffs in the Enviro Unit; O'Brien Out (Dinosaur Media DeathWatch™)

Newsday ^ | December 3, 2008 | Staff

[abb]

This can't be good: I am told that CNN has eliminated its science unit, affecting seven staffers. It's not good for many reasons but the network's science unit is one of the best in television and probably has a few dozen Emmys to prove it. Here's a statement from CNN: " We want to integrate environmental, science and technology reporting into the general editorial structure rather than have a stand alone unit. Now that the bulk of our environmental coverage is being offered through the 'Planet in Peril' franchise which is produced by the 'AC360' program, there is no need for a separate unit." Veteran anchor Miles O'Brien is affected in this shift too; TVnewser just reported that he was ousted too. As viewers know, CNN's taken a deep, long interest in science (space-related stuff, it seems to me, in particular) going back to the earliest days, when John Holliman - one of the "Boys of Baghdad" - was the network's space reporter. So this strikes at the culture and history of the place.

[abb]

Thursday morning good news!

[abb]

ping

[abb]

[abb]

http://www.kfor.com/global/story.asp?s=9454815&ClientType=Printable
New layoffs announced at Chicago Tribune

[abb]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i5a49077a0f8280a078ab2cceca459655
NBC News, ad sales division facing cuts

[abb]

[abb]

http://us.ft.com/ftgateway/superpage.ft?news_id=fto120320081903105982&referrer_id=yahoofinance
Newspaper group axes 250 staff

http://newsosaur.blogspot.com/
Gannett Blog: Tour de force crowdsourcing

[Aussiebabe]

putting “CNN” together with “science” is an oxymoron.

[abb]

http://gannettblog.blogspot.com/
Day 3: Job losses near 1,800; Salinas whacks 31%

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003919207
‘Chicago Tribune’ Reportedly Cutting More Newsroom Employees

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003919187
Evening Update on Gannett Cuts — and Response

[james500]

So unless Anderson Cooper decides to do an AC360 show on the environment, holding the incoming administration accountable for every hurricane won’t be part of the CNN programming strategy?

[abb]

http://bristolnews.blogspot.com/
The city needs its newspaper, community leaders say

http://www.newsandtech.com/issues/2008/December/nt/12-08_consolidation.htm
Consolidation torrent continues

http://www.newsandtech.com/dateline/12-03-08_date.htm
Gannett closing 2 more plants

[Red_Devil 232]

Yep! Why have science guys and gals when we all know that The Science Is Settled?

[abb]

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/nbc-universal-planning-layoffs-cutbacks-include-forcing-all-execs-to-fly-coach-to-super-bowl/
NBC Universal Plans Hundreds Of Layoffs; Forcing Execs To Fly Coach To Super Bowl

[abb]

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6619674.html
NBC Universal Lays Off Ad Sales Staff

[Thrownatbirth]

"Those CNN phonies should stick to car bombs and beheadings."

[Jabba the Nutt]

"Now that the bulk of our environmental coverage is being offered through the 'Planet in Peril' franchise which is produced by the 'AC360' program, there is no need for a separate unit."

Planet in Peril, conclusion first, evidence later. No wonder CNN doesn't need a separate Science Unit, it does propaganda, not science reporting.

[Zakeet]

Thursday morning good news!

Oh yeah???

So now where are we going to go to find the latest truth about global warming, the hole in the ozone layer, the evils of offshore drilling, the need to protect ANWAR, the protection of old growth from wicked timber companies, the dangers of nuclear energy, and so much more?

And where else are the half dozen or so space cadets going to find work as professional bullsh*t artists, especially in today's economy?

Oh the humanity!

[mkjessup]

"It's not good for many reasons but the network's science unit is one of the best in television and probably has a few dozen Emmys to prove it"

Yeah, including that Emmy for discovering that the Space Shuttle is capable of warp speed:

[Sherman Logan]

You beat me to it.

With a title like that, you don’t even need to watch the program. You already know what it will say:

The planet is in peril.

It’s all the fault of capitalism, American white males and GWB.

The answer is to turn over all power to Obama and the UN. They will remove the peril and cause humans and the planet to live happily ever after.

[johnny7]