CNN's Stimulus "Project": Plus and Minus
Give credit to CNN anchor Tony Harris for pounding the desk, pointing to a heavy budget stimulus book, and proclaiming that CNN would delve into it. The polite pounding was in response to CNN’s own poll, with Americans predictably saying most of the stimulus has been wasted (Apparently, most of it’s unspent!), and his co-anchor opining that there’s “controversy” about whether it’s been a good idea. Hit the pause button, when you hear CNN’s T.J. Holmes roving the CNN, actually talking to reporters for the network’s Stimulus Project, and saying they “are actually making calls,” to find out how many jobs spot projects have really created. Actually making calls. Compare that to such projects as newcomer California Watch’s own detailed stimulus reporting, and you the pace — and value — of traditional text-based and cable reporting.