CNN Seeking to Destroy Fox News and That Is Terrifying
CNN reportedly has Fox News in its crosshairs and whether you love or hate either network this should concern you. Media consolidation around destroying competitors is bad for everyone.
The strategy apparently involves aggressive counter-programming direct competition for Fox viewers and potentially pressure campaigns against advertisers. Standard media warfare stuff but escalating.
Mediaite reported on the network tensions and strategic maneuvering.
Fox dominates cable news ratings which drives CNN crazy. Rather than differentiate with better journalism theyre apparently trying to poach audience through ideological combat.
Media competition should make journalism better. When it becomes about destroying rivals rather than serving audiences everyone loses.
The terrifying part isnt that CNN wants more viewers. Its that both networks increasingly define themselves by opposition to each other rather than commitment to informing the public.
We need functioning press outlets that compete on quality not tribal allegiance. What we have is professional wrestling with news tickers.
Neither network is innocent here. Fox has its own aggressive tactics. The problem is systemic. Cable news incentives reward outrage over accuracy.
The losers are viewers who want to understand whats actually happening in the world.
Media analysis 2021
