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.