From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr near Monterey, California

Did anybody else see the self promotional space filler which I spotted on CNN yesterday? I'm not going to be able to quote it exactly, because I was not near to a pencil at the time (and didn't have my VCR turned on). The general idea supposedly being promoted was that CNN dispenses with all the time consuming details and cuts right to the bottom line with the information that may be of some use to the viewer.

The style of the ad was a professional looking black background with steady large white letters, reminiscent of the "Messages from God" posters that are cropping up in some parts of the country. The words say something like this: "Alarmed poultry predict calamity... CNN bottom line: Sky remains intact."

I'm trying to figure what to make of this. As much as I respect Ted Turner on many other dimensions, it seems like he's really missing the boat, here. I have no illusions that CNN is immune from the same spin pressures as other media, since I have noted their slant on on numerous other issues about which I have some background: vaccinations, schooling for children, the Gulf War...

My impression, in the past, has always been not that the media are corrupt to the core, and thus intentionally telling evil lies, but rather that they are shallow and skimming the surface... and that they are willing to buy the stories of supposed "experts" hook, line, and sinker.

This "chicken little" spot, though, seems particularly calculated and insidious. Without actually coming out and saying that Y2K-Warners are Chicken Little's, they're feeding that idea to the public. It's not possible to speak out against the spot, to other family members who may be watching TV with us, without seeming to have self identified as a Chicken Little.

This is quite disappointing. I believe CNN is perceived by many to be a rather highbrow source of information. If people believe CNN is branding preparers as mindless idiots, they will be less likely to begin making even minimal preparations, or to keep their heart in what little preparations they may have already begun.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage.neener.autospammers--regrets.greenspun), August 30, 1999

Answers

I disagree-- while, like you, i can't remember the exact texts, i've seen other ads by CNN just like that, with different themes.

I think they're trying to say they give you the news first, that's all.

there are at least 3 or 4 other ads, just like it, only with different (well known) stories.

i think the time will come when we're portrayed as "the problem", but I'm quite sure these cnn advertisements aren't it....

-- Super (slfsl@yahoo.com), August 30, 1999.

Super--I agree with you! Soon anyone who is preparing for Y2K will be blamed for the problem of food and cash shortages. People are going to be PO'ed when all the good Y2K stuff is gone. That's why I have always kept my plans to myself and my immediate family, people are too unpredictable nowadays.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), August 30, 1999.

Dancr,

One thing that is important to remember is that CNN is now owned by Time-Warner, which through Time Magazine brought us "Millennium Madness" last year, probably the baseline for Y2K concerned = whackos.

Ted Turner probably has very little, if anything, to do with CNN's editorial policy since selling to Time-Warner. In fact, I wouldn't be surpised if he totally gets it. My understanding is that he spends most of his time on his huge ranches where he raises bison.

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), August 30, 1999.