Be hostile, it will make you money!

     CNN has been the founder and leader of solid, reliable news for the past 30 years, but are now suffering greatly in the ratings department. 

The stations numbers are down 22 percent from the 2007 election, and host Anderson Cooper went from being number 1 in the ratings to last.

  This makes me think what could be causing a station who in my eyes is the only one who offers news as hard fact without the sway of any opinion be falling so far behind. One conclusion is that controversy sells better than news. The battle between the white house and Fox News draws in views to that station, while at the same time Fox News has an on going fight with  MSNBC news. It seems to me that people tend to watch things that will entertain while providing the news at the same time. 

This poses a huge problem for CNN considering the competition to attract ads is becoming more intense. With ratings dropping such a huge amount it will be interesting to see if this effects the stations ability to bring in ads and keep the title of the leading news station. 

" forgotten war"..becomes visible

       It seems as if even sense the war efforts in Iraq have increased, the U.S. population along with President Bush, and the mass media have forgotten about the once prominent war in Afghanistan. 

       Alas, President Obama comes to the rescue again and draws attention back to the country by a "formation of a new American strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan." Although this has brought the light back to the country in terms of media coverage, another significant source of attention was brought back to the country through an article in Time magazine called " The War Up Close." This article offers coverage for what sees to be a forgotten "problem" in the Middle East. 

But what does this mean for journalists? Just as in Iraq there are many problems concerning the safety of journalists while reporting over seas. The less than friendly terrain and climate, combined with the threat of kidnapping makes reporting in these countries much more difficult. 

I find it extremely brave that the U.S is finally giving an issue such as Afghanistan a more in depth look once again. Although it does not seem that anything bloody, or war like is going on, that might only be because there had been no major and in depth coverage of what is going on in a close up everyday setting.  

Although this might not be a topic that sky rockets ratings, it is something that every American whether in support of the war or not needs to be informed about. The Afghanistan situation is " a vitally important story that will shape our history for years to come," said Rick Kaplan with CBS news. 

In the NUDE

As magazines continue to lose there advertisements and main source of magazine income ESPN has come up with a new way to bring readers and advertisement companies back to them. 

As the New York Times said " it chose a tactic favored by the Lindsay Lohans of the world: flash a little skin." What better way to increase revenue than show skin? 

At first I thought wow, even a sports magazine which a high line of creditability is resorting to attracting readers through good looking naked people. Than as I read further, I actually found their angle on nudity unique. Not only did they photograph beautiful young athletes, but also very large sumo athletes. Taking it further I thought it was a great approach to shoot up close, detailed, visual, disturbing injury images. 

If nudity does not draw someone in, knowing they can see one of there favorite athletes injury in depth will. 

And it worked! Revenues were higher that October than ESPN has ever seen.

I love reading about new ideas and techniques print media are using to attract users, and I really think this was a fresh way to take a chance with nudity.

Goodbye Gourmet

It is an interesting day when the Vouge of food goes extinct. After being in circulation for 68 years the magazine called Gourmet has been shut down. It shows you that other forms of media really are talking over, even the most prominent food magazine ever.
It amazes me that all the new forms of media such as cooking shows, are over taking this magazine. My father is a great cook, and a huge fan of the magazine. I called him when I heard the news, and he said in a very loud voice " what has become of our world, when television can take over such a great and tasty magazine." My father not only loves food and cooking, but also refuses to even buy a television.
As in response to the bride magazines being closed, it is surprising that the need for gowns is even running short. This is not as much as a surprise to me, just because as the marriage age gets higher for women, they become more wise and realize that theydo not need to spend so much time and money on a dress.
I guess all to say is, if you are not being in money, watch your back, because it really does not matter how long you have been around; your only worth the money you bring in.