Anyone else happy to see the news that CNN and Lou Dobbs are parting company because the cable network has decided to move away from “advocacy journalism”? Dobbs announced Wednesday that he was leaving CNN immediately and some have speculated that he may run for Congress.
For years, Dobbs was a staple on CNN’s business report, but in recent years he has joined the shrill chorus of cable TV talking heads, demanding the U.S. get tougher on illegal immigration and even giving support to the crazies in the “birther” movement.
While both CNN and Dobbs said the parting was professional and civil, it’s clear the network did not want to go down the Fox path and become more of an opinion outlet than a news outlet. CNN executives said they would stress non-partisan journalism — and took a step toward doing just that by naming John King (he of the “magic wall” during the ’08 presidential election) to take over Dobbs’ slot. King has a reputation for being a down-the-middle kind of reporter and CNN says the show will focus on national politics (where down-the-middle reporting is badly needed).
I’m sure CNN’s shift to the middle will be condemned by some, just as I’m sure that CNN will screw up at times and present something that’s less than fair and balanced (and I mean the real “fair and balanced,” not Fox’s version of it). But a stated goal that news reporters and anchors will report the news rather than their opinions is a good place to start.
Advocacy journalism is fine if you’re advocating to feed the hungry or protect children. But — outside of editorial pages and clearly labeled opinion shows – when it comes to politics, journalists should leave the advocating to others.
