AOL News invited Dan Rather to respond to the controversy following his remarks about the state of television news.
Let me put one thing to rest right away: CBS Corp. Chief Executive Les Moonves' charge that my "dumbing it down, tarting it up" comments about the CBS Evening News were "sexist," presumably because of my use of the "T word" in describing a newscast anchored by a woman. Nice try at misdirection from the issue at hand -- the parlous state of news, particularly television news -- but no cigar; I've used that phrase dozens of times in the past (such as documented here, here, and here) to describe the disturbing trend in news toward shallow, celebrity-obsessed coverage, in contexts where it clearly had nothing to do with gender.
Now that we've settled that, how about we have a real conversation in this country about the real issue: Our nation and our world face enormous challenges, many being of the life-or-death variety. Nuclear proliferation. Climate change. The health-care crisis. The growing gap between rich and poor. The ways that the war on terrorism has changed how we understand and interpret our Constitution and our bedrock values as a free and democratic society. There are debates about these and other pressing issues before us but, for the most part, they have been limited to our political elites, and these folks tend to already have a dog in the fight.
In fewer than nine months, the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations will likely be locked up. In less than a year-and-a-half, we will be going to the polls to choose a new president. Yet the rank-and-file American voter is not being drawn into the central debates of our time. And the information he or she gets about the presidential campaign is largely limited to the political horse race.
Why? One of the big reasons is the absurdly disproportionate coverage that news organizations give to celebrity "news" and other tales of scandal and prurience. They hope for a short-term ratings and demographics fix, while the long-term, important problems -- the ones that actually have a bearing on our lives -- get pushed out of broadcasts and the ever-shrinking "news hole" in print publications.
We can talk about that, we can debate whether this is good for our country and what we should do about it -- or we can turn this into another celebrity story involving two anchors and a network CEO.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 29)
46. Dan Rather can do no wrong! We love you! Keep reporting the news the way that you always do.
Callie
Callie at 7:05PM on Jun 13th 2007
47. Trying to put a younger, fresher face on the CBS news, or any news doesn't work. The evening news should be informative and serious. The "younger" crowd doesn't care either who is on the news. We are constantly informed about world events. Give us some dignity and have a real anchor report real news. Get real media.
Grace at 7:07PM on Jun 13th 2007
48. Folks, this isn't and shouldn't be about us liking Dan or Katie. The news is gathered and presented for them to read.... yes, they have some input, but the management sets the parameters. CBS has elected to give us "News Lite", and entertainment show instead of news, and after giving it a try, many of us left for more meat.
Ask for real news from CBS, not Katies head. Without a change in direction, all anchors will fail to satisfy us.
Katie is the fall guy... Plenty smart enough to do this job... But she would need substance, not fluff to report. Any anchor would fail with "News Lite".
Don McLaughlin at 7:11PM on Jun 13th 2007
49. I have not forgotten the forged memos that were "front and center" one Wednesday night as I watched CBS EVENING NEWS. CBS News was so biased they didn't anticipate or understand and still don't, how thin and perforated that ice they were walking on actually was. In reality there was no ice at all. It was more like an attempt to walk on water. These people are true believers.
That was a major mistake and miscalculation not likely to be repeated anytime soon, so most CBS stories aren't going to have a stark reality check like that one did. Yet the general theme remains pretty much the same from month to month and year to year.
Joe at 7:32PM on Jun 13th 2007
50. I think Dan needs to shutup, I really didn't feel him as a correspondenct. Charlie Gibson and others were always better. He needs to stay retired and keep his slow talking, mistake making, bumbling around trying to find the rights words retired!!! Come on now!!! These old men are getting on ones nerves. Hang in there
Sheryl at 7:11PM on Jun 13th 2007
51. I am 34 years old and consider myself to be part of the "younger audience". I love Dan Rather and had watched him for years. He is a man of integrity and has the ability to connect with viewers. I miss him dearly.
Jen Price
Newport, RI
Jen Price at 7:11PM on Jun 13th 2007
52. I agree 100% with Dan,and I hope he has some effect on the news industry. I am tired of the type of news that is reported on most television, it is an insult to my intelligence. All the important news is given little air time or none at all, and way to much coverage on the rich and famous. What is important is what our children grow up to believe and via TV my 4 yr old grand daughter is already worried about her weight, money and clothes.
marty from Garden Valley at 7:24PM on Jun 13th 2007
53. truth is CBS is grasping for air to survive so they put a brainless womanhoping it will be a fix,sadly you cannot replace decades of high experience with an apprentice . sorry .
joel rambaus at 7:16PM on Jun 13th 2007
54. Feel man job they are much better in my opinion one's we have had for years have done wonderful jobs nothing wrong with Brian Williams. Katie is sweet little old lady put her in right place she do OK.
Helen Sutton at 7:22PM on Jun 13th 2007
55. I am for Dan Rather all the way. The news & our society has lost so much. Thinking & aiming everything toards the youger generation. The baby boomers as I am in mid 50's. So many peopel do not realize very much about the babay boomers & the real power we have & will have for many years to come. Soon there wiil be very few younger people not just in the United States but in the world. We as baby boomers need to stand up & raelize what we really have in our hands & the power we have & how we can help ourselves our families & future generations. I have been doing alot of research & would like others advise & opionions on how we can work together & help our country & the world. I am very SERIOUS about this. Lets keep the real news going with peopel like Dan Rather. Please if interested & havea ny comments please contact me at JL3Carter aol. Look forwrd to hearing from you.
Joyce at 3:00PM on Jun 14th 2007
56. Go read a 1776 Boston newspaper. The news has always been sensationalized. The public is not stupid. When it matters they get the info they need from a souorce that will provide it. There is nothing new going on except that the source people are using today is a new one. The internet.
josmarje at 7:18PM on Jun 13th 2007
57. Dan rather is right on the "money" CBS is desperatly grasping for fresh air to survive however they have in the process forgotten you cannot replace such qualified journalist and achorman by a rookie . they might want to try MTV at least they are fun to watch .......
joel rambaus at 7:20PM on Jun 13th 2007
58. Dan needs to move on. Once you retire, you retire. No one ever likes change. But, Katie is young and spunky and is doing a great job!
Pastor Josh at 1:47PM on Jun 14th 2007
59. Dan Rather has been ever since he found it "uncomfortable" to wear an Americqn flag lapel pin! CBS should have put him out to pasture earlier.
Katie looks foolish with that "little girl" hair do.
Anyway, I have such high regard for CBS that I regularly watch Fox.
Dale Fowlkes at 7:23PM on Jun 13th 2007
60. Dan rather is right , CBS is grasping for fresh air to survive sadly Dan has been replaced by someone which is an apprentice. They might want to try MTV at the very least they are fun to watch.
Joel Rambaud
joel rambaus at 9:12PM on Jun 13th 2007