CNN Watch - Popular Stories

What kind of disgusting shit is this? As you may have noticed, CNN revamped their Web site for a cleaner, leaner look. The site also now features a prominent position for 'Popular News,' a portion of the front page devoted to most-viewed stories. Surely this is generated by an algorithm, but what does it say about CNN's readers/viewers that one of the most popular stories is 'Girl disemboweled in pool'? With video no less?

The fact that CNN even allows such lurid headlines over the transom suggests tabloid sensationalism. And its juxtaposition with the story 'Men, women about equally chatty' gives a powder-puff of a story the same weight as one family's tragedy. The accidental placement in 'Popular Stories' of a story that shouldn't have been covered at all, is offensive and disgusting. CNN may want to rethink it's section designation if stories like this are going to end up under such an unfortunate label.

CNN Watch: Two Races in the US

This CNN article which serves to fluff up Paula Zahn's 'Racism in America' program reveals something slightly insidious about the cable news giant. It seems to assert that the US is composed of only two races, a somewhat simpleminded and racist idea in itself.

What's more, the article goes on to say that survey sample was composed of 1,207 Americans "including 328 blacks and 703 non-Hispanic whites." From what races came the remaining 171 respondents?

I don't know if CNN realizes it or not, but this bifurcation is dangerous thinking, subtly turning racial perceptions into an us-and-them mentality when we should be looking at the racial composition of country in more holistic terms. It is deeply irresponsible for CNN to put ideas like this in front of the American public.