CORRECT CNN **Every Day** in Every Way

There are various efforts to go after the cable sleaze networks. I have a modest proposal to target CNN in a very specific way. It’s easy, fun, and it should make a difference.

Here is how it works. Just watch CNN for about 10 minutes and you will notice an error: factual, logical, bias, stories ignored, etc. You click on the following link and follow instructions on the web page to submit the correction.

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form6a.html?2

Why CNN?

CNN is the only remotely “watchable” cable network. They suck but there is some hope. Why? Because they’re on the ropes in terms of audience share. More than 50% of their viewers are either anti Bush (56%) or pro Kerry (52%). Democratic numbers for CNN are probably even higher since Faux and the NBC’s make even a John Breaux Democrat gag. They need us to tune in or they’re toast.

What’s a CORRECT CNN comment?

• They leave out stories, e.g., huge Kerry’s crowds across the nation. Correction: You are not covering Kerry’s crowds. Why? We’re Democrats, we’re over half your audience, and we’re ready to BOYCOTT CNN! REFRAIN for every correction.]
• They are biased, e.g., uncritical, equalization of pro & con on Kerry’s war record. Correction: You treat both sides as though they’re equal. There’s no basis for the charges against Kerry. What’s your problem? The Swift Boat people are supported by Republican money. Why don’t you report that? <[i>REFRAIN]
• They are factually challenged, e.g. the CNN polls.
Correction: There are 15 national polls, 11 consistently have Kerry in the lead. You distort the news by reporting only your poll. <[i>REFRAIN]

No obscenities or the like; just the facts, the correction, and the refrain.

ALWAYS REMIND THEM THAT DEMOCRATS ARE MORE THAN 50% OF THEIR AUDIENCE AND WE’RE ABOUT TO START A BOYCOTT.

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form6a.html?2


LET ‘EM HAVE IT *DAILY*!!! Again and again.

And post your corrections here. Share the fun with everyone.


LET THEM HAVE IT

thread or forum? I know lots of us depend on John Kerry's site for his official responses, but how about if we list sites that would help DUer's pull facts up quickly, in addition to Kerry's site?

Here's a link someone posted that seems to be superb:

http://www.peskyfacts.com/

I checked out peskyfacts. It's excellent! The more the better. The beauty of the Correct CNN approach is that is just a single source. It's so frustrating to send something to a specific on-air personality. Plus, they need to be corrected. If they fail to learn, discipline is next!

with a boycott.

I could not believe my eyes when I received a message from the NYT acknowledging their error on one writers statement that (more or less) said that deaths had gone down since the regime change - it was received days or weeks after the error.

Push public airwaves and country and worldwide responsibility.

majority of their viewing audience. And I like your suggestion of adding that we are ready to TURN CNN OFF!

I wouldn't think they would want to piss off their major audience. I don't expect them to pander to the left the way that Fox does to the right, but it would be really nice if they just reported the facts in a fair and objective manner.

:kick:

I did this in 2000, after their appalling coverage of Gore. Daily. Sometimes hourly. It's not difficult, as you say, to find a constant stream of factual errors, misinformation, and GOP propaganda. I'm sure I wasn't alone in complaining to them.

The problem, I think, is that we assume that they care that we're at least 50% (although I contend the percentage is much higher, thanks to FAUX) of their viewership. They obviously don't, as their coverage has veered even more to the right since 2000.

This is about CNN serving their corporate masters, and the public be damned. Their 'journalists' are little more than corporate spokespersons on a puppet string, and they'll continue to pour out the company line even as the last viewer tunes out.

And yes, I still complain to CNN, but unlike before, I don't expect change. Change is not in their business plan. It's up to us, instead, to get the message out, to tell the truth, to be informed, to talk to our friends and neighbors and change this corrupt regime.

I agree. They are consumate media whores. Wolf Blitzer might as well wear a red sequin dress and 4" heels (as a matter of fact, he does on occasion). My point here is this is two steps:
(1) throw down the gauntlet -- fix it or we'll boycott;
(2) actually organize a boycott HERE after a specific period of time. I'd be willing to help with that. Lets pick a period of time - 2-4 weeks and then move on to step 2, which, you are right, will be required.

I agree with the sentiment, but will the threat of a boycott change their corporate mission plan? I think that serving their viewership is last on CNN's list. Perhaps an advertisers boycott would be more effective, but note that CNN runs a lot of advertising for things that we CAN'T realistically boycott- Boeing, for example. Coincidence? I wonder.

They do have a corporate agenda. They also own a news network that went from #1 with a bullet to an also ran. This impacts their bottom line and something more important. With the parent company problems with AOL and the like, they can't afford to fail in high profile. Imagine the headlines - "AOL Time-Warner Drops CNN" or "..sells CNN" We can push them in a better direction if they're convinced that they'll lose a big chunk of their audience or face a high-profile boycott. Let'em have it.

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form6a.html?2

It would be a little virtual statuette wearing that red sequin dress and 4 inch heels (let's throw in some torn fishnet stockings to complete the picture).

I've been writing them but a concerted effort would be more effective.
By the way, USA Today wrote me back last week (an editor did) to apologize for a mistake they made. Sometimes they do pay attention...

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2209865&mesg_id=2209865

The idea behind 'correct cnn' is to send brief messages whenever they screw up...as a correction. The mailings to the on air 'readers' are great. What I'm suggesting is regular input to their 'complaint' department about ALL of their mistakes.

I have sent many emails to their "complaint department"

We need to do it!

These talking heads aren't the ones who figure out who goes on and where. This is the producer's job and one I've thought quite a bit about recently.

Who is responsible for the picking and positioning of guests and interviews on these "news" and interview shows? Who decides who appears for the Repugnicans or the Democrats and is there a proper balance?

Also who are the people who whipser into those earpieces...the ones who tell those airheads the questions to ask or the spin to weave in.

On Election Night 2000, it was a "producer" at Faux who whispered into earphones that resulted in the selection being thrown into havoc at 3am and...well, you know the rest.

Geez, normally it takes 10-15 minutes to find a correction. Now they're going hours without any news. Here is what I sent them:

------------------------
CORRECTION:

Error of judgment: you are a news network. There's big news going...the Presidential campaign. From 1:00-3:00 PM EST neither CNN nor Headline News had one campaign story! In case you didn't notice, Kerry is up in battle ground states (a very big story); Kerry had a triumphant tour of the whole country, 50,000 people in Portland for example (you barely touched it). You present an hour special Britney Spears and headline news with an endless loop on the hurricane. I'm a Democrat and I've been disturbed by your errors in reporting on Kerry. Now I can't even find him on your network. We're over 1/2 of your audience and we're getting fed up. Expect a boycott at some point in the near future.

------------------------

Here's where to go:

http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form6a.html?2

dealing with contacting the media. I was looking for cnn's email address this morning and had a hard time finding it on DU.