• by John Gaffney , October 22, 2002

Media Sniper Riffs: Unless I’m wrong, cable news channels were started for two reasons. The first was that you could run a network all day and night for a fraction of what it cost to run an entertainment-based network. The second was the world and the media that covers the world had approached a pace that made on the spot news, analysis and interpretation necessary. Now we have the urgency. Geopolitical events have ensured it. Now we have a situation in the DC suburbs, where the potential of cable news once again approaches its promise. However, the situation now calls for more aggressive reporting. What I see from Fox to CNN is cooperation with the law. It’s like everybody knows some big secret and the viewing public is supposed to read code. At this point the viewer intelligence is being insulted again. I say put Bob Woodward on the case for MSNBC. Whoever your best investigative reporter is, that person should be driving cable news right now. I see too many consultants. People who used to be somebody else. Where are the reporters?

Why I Like Martha Stewart:If I’m a planner/buyer, hiding from potential problems is a sure sign of trouble. A late audit statement. A late proposal for a big deal. So, I like seeing Martha Stewart going to work, because it just might mean that her company will continue to effectively reach a critical audience to my clients. Because with the SEC breathing down her neck and the threat of more press bashing coming down as sure as fake snow on her Christmas cover, she launched a new furniture line. She showed up at the American Magazine Conference. You gotta respect that.

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