Stagecraft - Democratic Underground

NanceGreggs

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Thu Jul-31-08 06:27 PM
Original message

Stagecraft

Edited on Thu Jul-31-08 06:37 PM by NanceGreggs

An open letter to Mr. Jon Klein
President - CNN/U.S.

Sir:

On July 25th, CNN’s Campbell Brown “reported” on a Congressional hearing inquiring into the scope of executive power, and the possible abuse thereof by G.W. Bush and his administration.

“Believe it or not, there was a congressional hearing today about impeaching the president,” said Ms. Brown, who added, “It was all stagecraft, though.”

Let me begin by stating what should be obvious: If your network is going to continue to identify itself as a news network, presenting Ms. Brown’s air-headed opinion in place of actual coverage of the hearing is not merely a lapse in judgment, but a blatant attempt to distort and/or dismiss a proceeding of vital importance to all American citizens.

Ms. Brown went on to introduce a report by CNN’s Erica Hill with the words, “Tell us about this piece of Kabuki theater, Erica.”

Again the idea that a “news” station would allow one of its on-air staff to dismiss serious testimony surrounding possible crimes committed by the president and his administration as “Kabuki theater” can only be described as a truly mind-boggling lack of journalistic responsibility.

Ms. Brown then ended by saying: “So this is really just stagecraft, not to mention a real waste of taxpayer money and Congress’ time.” Thanks again, Ms. Brown, for your totally worthless opinion.

The (fortunately) few times I have seen Ms. Brown in action, she has repeatedly used the word “stagecraft”. While I realize that a woman of limited intelligence will, by virtue of that fact, also have a limited vocabulary, perhaps you could educate her – along with the rest of your on-air staff – in the proper meaning and use of the word.

I assure you this would not be a daunting task, or one that would tax even Ms. Brown’s meager intellect. A viewing of footage from CNN’s own archives would suffice, as your network has consistently profferred state-of-the art stagecraft as actual news.

Over the past seven years, CNN has devoted hours of coverage to Bush’s speeches, and events like the toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein. And yet, to my knowledge, you have never informed your viewers that these events were “staged”, right down to the inclusion of hand-picked audiences and paid participants.

Perhaps the most glaring example of same was Bush’s appearance in NOLA in the aftermath of Katrina, where he spoke surrounded by first-aid/food/water distribution stations, and equipment allegedly flown-in at the president’s insistence to immediately begin the task of assisting that city’s residents.

Of course, it was later reported in blogs across the country, and in newspapers of note around the globe, that these “props” were packed-up and removed within minutes of Bush’s photo-op coming to an end.

That, sir, is stagecraft of the highest order – and yet your network persists in broadcasting such blatant displays of fakery, created and televised solely for the purpose of misleading the public.

As it is abundantly apparent that your network does not understand the meaning of stagecraft, allow me to explain it in terms that even you can understand:

Stagecraft is representing yourself to the public as a news network, when what you actually offer is scripted opinion, presented with extreme bias against Democrats and liberals, and a more-than-obvious favoritism towards the present administration and the corporate interests of your owners.

Stagecraft is prattling on incessantly about missing teenagers and celebrity gossip, along with a hefty dose of right-wing talking points, and passing it off as “news”, while, at the same time, ignoring actual news stories that would serve to inform the citizenry of what is taking place in their own country, and especially within their own government.

Stagecraft is identifying teleprompter-readers as journalists and investigative reporters, introducing people who are nothing more than shills for the right-wing agenda as respected political analysts, and referring to a group of appallingly misinformed hacks as "the Best Political Team on TV".

I will not be so hypocritical as to say I expected better of CNN - because I don't, and haven't for years. However, I must admit to a certain sense of shock at seeing what used to be a somewhat obscured bias now so blatantly displayed without even a pretense of fairness and balance.

I realize that expressing my utter disgust with your organization’s conduct, along with behavior of your on-air staff, will have no impact nor prompt any changes.

However, I would appeal to whatever shred of decency you may have left and ask that, at the very least, your network cease using the term “news network” and present itself as what it is: a collection of spinmeisters with little of value to say, and even less integrity with which to say it.

With all due respect,
NanceGreggs