Sciencebloggers Sound Off on CNN

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Pharyngula: CNN screws the pooch:

As part of an ongoing program of reducing their relevance and demolishing their credibility, CNN has just completely shut down their Science, Space and Technology unit. Who needs good science coverage, after all, since nothing important happens in that area…and as the US continues to dumb down its educational system, the number of interested viewers is probably dropping, too.

The media knows where the profits lie, and it's not in that expensive journalism stuff — it's in the cheap and popular domain of opinionated airheads shouting at each other. This is symptomatic of a deep intellectual rot in this country.

The Island of Doubt : Another one bites the dust: CNN axes science team:

Another one bites the dust: CNN axes science team

Category: Sci-culture
Posted on: December 4, 2008 12:44 PM, by James Hrynyshyn

So last month its was the Forecast Earth gang at the Weather Channel. This week it's the science and technology team at CNN that gets the axe.

I know that times are tough all over. I know it's hard to sell ads for science sections and programs. But it sure would be nice to see the corporate robber barons that run the most popular media in the country do what's right for a change. I mean, come on: does anyone really believe that scientific issues are going to diminish in importance in the months and years ahead?

Pure Pedantry : Boo on you, CNN:

Boo on you, CNN

Category: TV
Posted on: December 4, 2008 1:36 PM, by Jake Young

CNN is shutting down their science-and-technology unit. Not that it was much of a unit considering there was only one reporter...

[...]

As for the reason "being editorial, not economic," I call bullshit. This is only editorial in the sense that CNN has chosen not to prioritize good science reporting. And that absence of priorities shows because if you have ever watched CNN science reporting, it was pretty piss poor already. Whether it is Sanjay Gupta and Larry King giving the antivax crowd a mic or their complete aversion to any complexity, CNN has repeatedly dropped the ball on science issues.

The economy is rough all-over, but it a shame to see a major network throwing in the towel.

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