This has happened in the past (and usually revolves around CNN only) when if it breaks a story first (and usually for stories of profound magnitude it is usually CNN that breaks the story first due to its virtual global hegemony ....although when it comes to global news the BBC and SKY are kind of catching up, and domestically FOX, but overall CNN gets the scoops for the big stories). People start accusing CNN of using 'underhanded' means when it breaks the story, yet when other news channels do the same no one utters a peep!
A good example of this is when CNN aired the videos that showed Al Queda's stratagems and capabilities. Some were saying it was an unabated attempt to boost ratings, while others were even going as far as saying CNN might have paid money to Al Queda (CNN did pay money, but none of the 30K went to any 'dubious' sources).
So in this case i fully understand why CNN would not air the video showing the rolling head. Imagine the backlash that would happen if such a video was aired by a media company, and that media company was CNN! Their switchboards would be inundiated with calls and protests.
Hence i totally understand why CNN refused to air the shows.
It seems CNN can never do right! For example look at the following post:
You have to wonder about CNN's motives in not showing this particular picture. Concern for human dignity? Concern not to damage the reputation of their Arab friends? Who knows?
Had CNN shown the footage the opposite would have been posted by some other person. Probably something to the effect of: " CNN sees the public as a cesspool to dump film of executions without caring how it will affect the viewers." Or maybe: " This is another example of CNN executives chosing higher ratings over moral decency!"
In essence whatever CNN decided on this matter it would have been met with vitriol!
And i am not defending CNN! I think it is vastly left wing, but i also know it is the global leader in news, plus it is judged by a standard no other media company is subjected to! I love FOX, but it has done stuff CNN would have hanged for, yet no one said anything about that. Whatever CNN's faults are (and there are a number i can easily think of) i think it is judged with a standard no media company can achieve ...not even FOX.
And personally I prefer to watch CNN and MSNBC/CNBC (especially MSNBC/CNBC) for news and FOX for interesting commentary and Bill O'Reilly (although Bill and commentary are veritable synonyms).
And now for more Anathema: I think when it comes to spin no one spins stuff more than Mr. O'Reilly! And not only does he spin stuff, he changes his position depending on what the person he is verbally asaulting (oops, i meant interviewing) takes. If the person is for gay rights O'Reilly will take the opposite position. And if the person is against Gay Rights (like that guy on O'Reilly's show a few days ago) O'Reilly will take a pro-gay rights position and go as far as calling the poor fellow a 'Christian Fanatic.'
If CNN tried such stuff it would get chewed to tiny itty bitty pieces and spat out. However O'Reilly spins stuff at leisure and does not even take a solid stance. (With that said let me add that is the reason i watch O'Reilly ....whenever i have a boring evening i can count on him to provide an hour of mindless pleasure as i watch him grill some poor soul over a point he himself was in support of two weeks ago. He is a shrewd journalist but also an unapologetic spinner and manipulator .....and epitomizes everything people hate about CNN and much much more).
Flame retardent suit on!