(From The Chicago Sun-Times -- By Doug Elfman)
Coverage of PETER JENNINGS' DEATH proved how TV NEWS has changed for THE WORSE during the 22 years he anchored ABC's WORLD NEWS TONIGHT.
ABC announced his death shortly before 11 pm ET Sunday, and the network and CNN interviewed friends and co-workers through the night. But FOX NEWS at 11:08 pm was milking tragedy with the NON-NEWS of NATALEE HOLLOWAY, who went missing in ARUBA 10 WEEKS AGO. At 12:12 am, FOX broke into their broadcast with this -- "TEACHERS GONE WILD!"
On ABC's GOOD MORNING AMERICA a host read a web posting from a viewer declaring, "I personally have not felt like this since JFK (was killed)." But at 8:25 am, FOX was running a round table suggesting a
"New York native" "intends" to run against "carpetbagger" HILLARY CLINTON.
ABC went a little overboard with the death. CBS and NBC went underboard. FOX was self-satire.
The most riveting coverage came from people who worked for him, especially CNN's CAROL LIN, who drew out interesting and fun details during interviews. Her delivery was JENNINGS-ESQUE -- articulate and involved but without too much self-referencing.
JEFF GREENFIELD said Jennings was frustrated that TV NEWS often had more sizzle than steak. As I write, it's Monday evening, and here's what's sizzling -- CHARLES GIBSON is hosting A JENNINGS TRIBUTE on WORLD NEWS TONIGHT. NBC and CBS are covering THE MIDDLE EAST. MSNBC says, "NEW DOUBTS ABOUT WHETHER MARILYN MONROE COMMITTED SUICIDE." CNN has a REPUBLICAN complaining about BORDER CROSSERS. And FOX is chasing its tail.
In 2003, Jennings told LARRY KING he liked INTERNET NEWS but found it unreliable -- "I sometimes think I may be talking to a goat." He thought viewers should be told what angles news is delivered from, be it the left, right or bottom.
TV NEWS hasn't bottomed out yet.
But with Jennings gone, it just got closer.
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