MSNBC Seeks Rebranding

 

MSNBC will change its name in an effort to rebrand the cable news channel. The new name of the channel will be called MS NOW. This stands for my source, news, opinion, and world. MSNBC has been struggling with ratings over the past few years. The failure to adapt is the primary reason. Many viewers are going to alternative or independent media sources. Social media, websites, and video sharing platforms are now major sources of news. The rebranding will not be effective unless changes are made. Corporate media seeks to uphold a certain narrative, which does not present political or social realities. Media bias can be present in any source, but MSNBC was more blatant with its coverage. the channel favors a political centrist and corporate Democrat perspective. The majority of the audience it appeals to is the baby boomer demographic. That generation does not represent the majority of the public. The channel focuses too much on domestic news, while international affairs are ignored. Biased reporting related to Israel and Ukraine becomes more obvious as conditions change rapidly. To an extent coverage of the Trump administration keeps the channel going. Other cable news networks have followed this model and it is not sustainable. The failure to update to the new era of digital media demonstrates how out of touch cable news channels are. Renaming the channel seems like they want viewers to think they are getting something different. Many viewers see MSNBC as an official press organization for the Democratic Party. Considering viewers want actual information and not political party press releases, ratings declined. The MS NOW transformation is not enough to fix the cable news network. 

Phil Donahue Discusses Why His MSNBC Program Was Cancelled

 

Phil Donahue (1935-2024)  returned to television in 2002. This time he was not hosting a talk show, but a cable news program. The show was cancelled in 2003. The reason for the cancellation was due to that fact it was the few cable news shows voicing opposition to the Iraq War. Corporate media does not care about reporting the truth or quality journalism. At times 24 hour cable news is nothing more than propaganda for the two major political parties. MSNBC has become more uniform in thought and opinions. To a degree it is a type of censorship, but done indirectly. Asking questions or having another perspective should not be seen as unpatriotic. Their is a fear of anti-war voices reaching the American public. MSNBC claimed Donahue was cancelled due to low ratings. However, it was cancelled in February in 2003, just before the invasion in March. The cable news networks were all pushing for war and having opposing views was not acceptable. What happen to Phil Donahue was a harbinger to would happen on social platforms. Corporate media manipulates public opinion for the benefit of the ruling and political elite of the United States. The firing of Phil Donahue is a reminder of why independent media needs to grow.  

The Rise and Fall of The TV Journalist

 

Critics of media and journalism have noted a contrast in quality. The media has become more partisan and biased. Bias was always present in reporting, but the rise of Tv took it to another level. Adam Curtis explains in a short documentary about how the public perception  of the  Tv journalist.  They were seen as heroic figures during the 1960s and 1970s exposing corruption and societal ills. Then a shift happened with the Cold War. The geopolitical situation became more complex and a simple narrative of good versus evil could not explain a world rapidly changing. Objective reporting was an ideal that was never reached. The idea was that the journalist was suppose to explain current events to the audience. Yet, the media can also be prone to error. The Tv journalists slowly morphed into supporters of the status quo. The public began to view the Tv journalists as part of the elite and establishment. The hostility became more pronounced in the 2010s. A decline in quality has been happening before the 2020s. These shifts allowed for the rise of independent journalism. Some wonder if cable news or other networks can survive in its current condition. Tv news needs to make drastic changes to remain relevant.  

The End of CNN Plus

 

CNN Plus only lasted a month. The business model the 24 hour cable news media companies are using are dated. The ability to compete is limited due to social media. Cable news fails to capture viewers as it once did in the 20th century. The contemporary period allows for more access to various sources of information. Viewers would not pay for a streaming service which they could watch on TV. The mainstream media has lost trust and the ability to report interesting stories. Bias and  partisan narratives are the common attributes of various 24 hour cable news networks. News should not resemble propaganda or a political party public relations firm. The American media has become as divided as the population itself. This explains why viewers are turning to alternative media. The traditional broadcasting networks demonize alternative media as conspiracy theory or spreading disinformation. There was a time in which TV news was criticized by newspapers. Overtime, it gained acceptance. Cable news networks that failed to adopt change will not survive. The experiment in video streaming should a warning to media companies. CNN has been around since 1980 and new technology will impact the media industry. Only by making quality content, questioning the status quo, and doing investigative journalism can media companies survive. 

Rare Hank Aaron Interview

 Hank Aaron (1934-2021)  was interviewed by Len Morton. The video shows  the young athlete discussing the upcoming World Championships. His MLB career span from 1954 to 1976. Aaron was considered one of the best baseball players of all time. He broke Babe Ruth record with a total of 755 home runs. The clip shows at the time his team was called the Milwaukee Braves. The date for this interview is not clear, however it had to be between the years  1955 to 1965. The team's name changed to the Atlanta Braves in 1966. Hank Aaron reveals that  playing right field is his favorite position. He was a pioneer in sports during a period in which African Americans were not accepted. Aaron faced racism, and discrimination  . When was getting closer to breaking Babe Ruth's records he received death threats. Ultimately, he was triumphant being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. 

Larry King Journalist, Radio Host, and Television Host Has Passed Away

 

Larry King (1933- 2021)  for half a century interviewed political figures, celebrities, and public intellectuals. His career began in the 1950s, but he came to prominence with radio program The Larry King Show in 1978. As time passed he became a household name hosting Larry King Live. He would be a fixture on CNN from 1985 to 2010. When the program ended on CNN, he would later host Larry King Now from 2012 to 2020. Larry King passed away due to complications from COVID-19. His death marks an end of an era of the journalists who went to radio, then to television. The mainstream media has become more biased and hostile to people with different perspectives. Larry King's interviewing style was more about getting people to discuss their view points, rather than making it purely antagonistic . Larry King Live had millions of viewers for this reason. He was able to make guests comfortable enough to expose information that they would not in any other circumstance. It was clear that that model of interview would not be used on 24 hour cable news in America. This is why his programs were moved to RT America. Russia Today broadcast his programs, even though from the Obama administration to present it is demonized as nothing more than propaganda. Larry King was one of the few broadcasters attempting  to give an interview of individuals that was not distorted.