Ted Turner (1938-2026) was one of the founders of CNN. This was the first 24 hour cable news network. CNN was a major innovator in broadcasting, but it signaled the problems with modern journalism. The control of news by large corporations and billionaires made it impossible to present alternative perspectives on domestic and foreign affairs. CNN has throughout is existence presented itself as a liberal leaning channel, yet as time passed it became more political centrist directed. Ted Turner's motivation for creating CNN was not to have the public informed. Rather it was to generate higher profits and have dominance in television. Turner Broadcasting System went on to become a force in cable. Having this much control over entertainment and mass media can result in the manipulation of public opinion. Media literacy is lowered when only a few sources of information are available and viewers do not question what is being reported. Ted Tuner's creation of CNN harmed media literacy and the quality of journalism. It made a path for more vitriolic broadcasting with the emerging competitors such as Fox News in 1996. CNN now has to compete with a word of digital media and some question if it can adapt.
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