Ted Turner--are you listening? A new network proposal

[lawladyprof]

I understand that he cannot repurchase CNN because its value has increased and I also understand that CNNIN is being dropped from satellite (don't ask me I have basic cable, well basic+ that means Animal Planet, MSNBC, CNN, etc. but not the movie channels.

Well, looking around at the cable channels--a lot of reruns, Christian broadcasting, really niche stuff like the food channel AND considering the poor quality of both network and cable news, here is a suggestion--a station that sweeps in international news broadcasts. I'd call it something like International News Compendium and include chunks of CBC, BBC, CNNIN, etc. One interesting program might be a comparison of how a news story/news stories is/are treated in the US and foreign media. Focus on one story and comparing/contrasting by showing a US segment(s) plus segments from other (foreign) news outlets.

[clydefrand]

1. Sounds like a great idea. Hope he' s reading and is interested.

[GraphicQueen]

2. Are you saying...

that CNN is being dropped? If not what is CNNIN anyway? I have DishTV and I watch CNN quite a bit, but most especially Lou Dobbs. Am I going to have to go cold turkey?

[lawladyprof]

8. CNNIN = CNN International

which is substantially more substantive than the domestic version.

[Cleita]

3. I put Wolfie on today because Randi was a rerun.

He reran an interview with Ted Turner he did back in July. First Wolf asked him if he would start a new network. Turner said no because he had done it and didn't have the money anyway. So Wolfie asked him, if he had several billion why not? Turner answered that he only had one billion now, which wasn't enough.

Also, he said lost all his other billions in the AOL Time Warner merger. He made a point of saying "he and all the other stockholders". At least he realized that. He also said he can't give away the money he used to give away because he just isn't as rich as he used to be. He is trying the restaurant business now and likes it.

I wish he would too.

[sundancekid]

4. I love where you seem to be coming from ... hello, Ted, are you out there?

between the foreign press and shortwave radio, we know how much is carried and reported and analyzed in the foreign media ... a damn sight far from what paultry stuff the MSM puts out here in our country ... it surely would be astonishing if Ted Turner would ONCE AGAIN lead the world in what we all need to hear and have reported ... are you listening, indeed!

[chaska]

5. I heard on Pacifica...

that the person or entity that brought us Air America is in the process of launching an new network devoted to real investigative journalism.

WOW, what a concept! A news station that actually investigates, what will they think of next?

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Are you serious???? (mock disbelief for emphasis)

That would be terrific. Do you have any more info?

[MikeDuffy]

7. "Fourth Estate Society" by Sheldon Drobny

See http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_essay_2004_12_13_mike_malloy_interviews_sheldon_drobny_of_air_america.asp

[Stinky The Clown]

10. Thanks for that link ... from the link ........

Drobny also said he's starting an organization to do investigative journalism, called "The Fourth Estate Society."

I consider that good news. Air America is mostly commentary, and we need more good investigative journalism.

Sheldon Drobny said the print articles will be syndicated.

He also expects television shows like "60 Minutes" to follow-up on some of the articles produced by "The Fourth Estate Society."

Would that they could get their own cable network ........

[lawladyprof]

9. Imagine our guys (ABC, NBC, CBS, etc.) juxtaposed against foreign

coverage. Why I do believe that some folks think competition can spur people to improve their performance (bats eyelashes).

[lawladyprof]

11. One benefit might be better journalism in the US

Another might be to help Americans look at events and situations from other people's perspective.

[Mixxster]

12. Does anyone remember a DUer named Tace?

I think that was his handle. I thought he was heavily involved in trying to start up a news network- they had a website with news stories. Haven't seen his nick around for quite a while.

On edit: I just found this post from last month that I apparently missed:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=2679191

Tace (1000+ posts) Fri Nov-12-04 12:22 PM

Original message
Gee -- What Ever Happened To World News Trust?


DU veterans may recall that nearly two years ago I embarked on a project that came to be known as World News Trust -- an effort to establish an unbiased news network.

Hundreds of DU'ers and other folks all pitched in, including the illustrious Noam Chomsky and NYU's Mark Crispin Miller. We made incredible progress. However, after the start of Gulf War II, I had to step away from the project to take some time to reflect and deal with some personal matters.

I want everyone to know that the project is still alive. I'll keep you informed.

And to all who pitched in... thank you dearly for your help.