Dear Time Warner,
Enough already. You have proven you are not Ted Turner. His CNN helped put events into context and the world in perspective. Turner loved the “Why” questions. He selected reporters who put their boots on the ground and their lives on the line. He dispatched reporters around the world. They were well informed because they actually lived in the countries from which they reported. They did not have to do “hit and run” stories after flying into hot spots after the fact.
Enter Time Warner. Exit Ted Turner.
When Turner sold CNN to Time Warner, the once legendary news coverage became, slowly but surely, more like infotainment. And, sadly, it became more like the movies. After all, that’s what Time Warner does.
As a result of the sale, most of their overseas news bureaus were closed. Many of the old fashioned, pavement-pounding reporters were either let go or recalled to one of the few remaining bureaus—primarily to New York, Los Angeles, D.C. or Atlanta.
Big American cities, for sure. But the world it ain’t.
It’s no surprise, really, since most corporations stick with what they know. Time Warner knows how to make movies and celebrities, and then cross promote it all. Desperately seeking celebrity is the carrot Time Warner holds out. And the shtick is to sell, sell, sell the news as a personality-driven product.
Time Warner may not understand this yet, but they have a tiger by the tail with what CNN/Time Warner considers their Libyan war’s leading lady—Sara Sidner. Why is she a tiger? Because she never wanted to be a Hollywood star or a celebrity! I know, almost impossible to fathom. From the first moment I met her years ago, I knew she was born to report. In fact, she is capable of real, honest-to-goodness investigative reporting, no matter how disconcerting the details. But, it seems, CNN and Time Warner are determined to keep Sidner in the middle of cross-fire. It’s frightening for those of us who have known and worked with her for years, but for those who want to feel close to the action…it is titillating television. It’s also Time Warner and CNN making the story about Sara. It is not, and she knows it. She’s capable of digging much deeper. She’s razor-sharp and nobody’s fool.
In a world where television reporters are taught to scratch the surface—or simply read an unquestioned press release—will CNN let Sidner’s natural curiosity and unflinchingly bravery go beyond the crackling gunfire? Will she be allowed to go into the really dangerous terrain of answering not only “who” and “where,” but also “why”?
Where are the weapons coming from? What Americans are on the ground? Who stands to gain the most with Gaddafi’s overthrow? Why are “rebels” risking their lives? Are they paid? Do any of them speak English? Are they sincerely seeking freedom from a dictator? Who is motivated by what?
Note to Time Warner: nothing is more dramatic than “rebels” risking their lives for something other than money. Put that together with a reporter who never wanted to be a beauty queen, never hiked up her skirt to show her legs or lowered her blouse to expose her cleavage and you’ve got something desperately needed….the potential for real reporting. That’s if Time Warner-- CNN’s true editorial directors, are smart enough to get out of her way.
Sidner went to CNN when it still basked in its “Golden Age” reputation. She was hoping to grow as a journalist. She’s lived in India the last several years, covered Middle East bombings and sat at the feet of the Dalai Lama. And she’s wiser and smarter for it.
Sidner has always raised the bar wherever she’s been. Now the question is: Will Time Warner and CNN let Sara be Sara? If they let her go behind the scenes and below the surface, and if CNN stops making the story about Sara, as if to push a product, we might actually learn something from television news that will broaden our understanding of what’s happening around the world. Be still my heart.
