Reliable Sources

June 16th at 11am ET

Glenn Greenwald responds to critics of his reporting; Snowden in media spotlight; Obama’s off-the-record briefing; Chris Cuomo on Zimmerman trial; The Daily Show’s summer substitute.
May 12th, 2013
01:41 PM ET

Chris Christie scolds media

Margaret Carlson, Jim Geraghty, Bob Cusack & Howard Kurtz talk about the media's coverage of this week's political stories.


Filed under: Chris Christie • Mark Sanford • Media • Media Criticism
What we're reading this week
May 10th, 2013
04:26 PM ET

What we're reading this week

By Laura Koran, CNN

Tune in Sunday for a look at how the Cleveland abduction case, the Benghazi hearing, and the week's other big stories are playing out in the media. Until then, here are some interesting reads that caught our attention.

Sexism at play? - This week’s Time Magazine cover story, “The Me Me Me Generation”, describes the entitlement and narcissism of American Millenials. While author Joel Stein concede that the generation “could be a great force for positive change,” his portrayal is often less than flattering. While some have taken issue with Stein’s perception of young people, others are calling out the magazine itself for the cover image it used to accompany the story. The cover features a young woman taking a picture of herself with a smart phone. That depiction, according to ThinkProgress culture reporter Alyssa Rosenberg, is not only ageist, but sexist as well, implying that self-absorption is a primarily female trait.

The Photoshop diet - The media’s ongoing obsession with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s weight was on display this week after the Governor admitted he underwent weight loss surgery in February. We will have more on how the story played out in the national media on Sunday, but for those who have been asking themselves how the leaner Christie will look, there’s no need to wait! The Asbury Park Press digitally altered a photo of the Governor to show what he might look like once the weight loss takes effect. This makes Christie the latest in a long line of celebrities who have benefited from developments in airbrushing technology.

Eulogy to a library – After the library across the street from his apartment closed to make way for condos and a hotel, Current TV co-founder Michael Rosenblum took to Huffington Post to reminisce about libraries and to ponder their future existence. As Rosenblum points out, libraries may hold sentimental value to people, but the internet has rendered them increasingly unnecessary. In fact, the disappearance of Rosenblum’s local library is far from unique. According to the American Library Association, state and federal funding for libraries has been dropping significantly in recent years, leaving many to wonder whether they might to the way of telephone booths and typewriters.

February 10th, 2013
12:59 PM ET

Christie Fumes Over Weighty Issue

Steve Roberts, Ryan Lizza, Lauren Ashburn and Howard Kurtz discuss the New Jersey governor’s jokes about his weight and his angry reaction to a doctor who expressed concern for his health.


Filed under: Blog • Chris Christie • Media Criticism
February 8th, 2013
04:32 PM ET

Sneak peek at this Sunday's show

By Becky Perlow, CNN 

With Dick Morris recently released from his punditry duties on Fox News, many critics have questioned whether the network, long criticized for acting as an extension of the GOP, is trying to soften its conservative image. Conservatives aren't the only ones in trouble, though, as Democratic Senator Bob Menendez continues his battle with the media. On Monday, Menendez told CNN's Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash that the news website The Daily Caller was "a right wing blog" that was smearing his reputation with "totally unsubstantiated" lies. Until recently, the mainstream media had largely stayed away from the sex scandal claims, but as journalists dug deeper, they discovered the Garden State senator might be mixed up with other conduct claims that are questionable in nature. Lauren Ashburn, Editor-in-chief of Daily-download.com, The New Yorker's Washington Correspondent Ryan Lizza and George Washington University's Professor of Media and Public Affairs Steve Roberts join Howie at the table to debate. They'll also discuss the media's mockery of Chris Christie's health and the unusual media connection to the manhunt for Los Angeles ex-police officer Christopher J. Dorner.

Founder of PandoDaily.com Sarah Lacy and HLN Digital Lifestyle Expert Mario Armstrong will continue our media analysis this week, focusing on Facebook vacations (when people leave Facebook cold-turkey for a significant amount of time) and Netflix's attempt to change the way viewers watch TV. 

Rounding up our show, Culture Commentator Lola Ogunnaike and  NY Magazine's "The Cut" Features Editor Maureen O'Connor will lead the Grammy discussion... namely, what does CBS's new "dress code memo" mean for the famed red carpet?

Tune in this Sunday at 11am EST.

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Filed under: Blog • Bob Menendez • CBS • Chris Christie • Facebook • Fox News • Grammy • Netflix • Reliable Sources • Sneak Peek • The Grammys
February 8th, 2013
10:47 AM ET

From the desk of Howard Kurtz: Enough with stories about who's fat

Editor's note: Howard Kurtz is the host of CNN's "Reliable Sources" and is Newsweek's Washington bureau chief. He is also a contributor to the website Daily Download.

(CNN) – Can the media get over their collective obsession with weight?

Fat chance.

For some strange reason, here we are again, talking about Michelle Obama's derriere. And, for good measure, Chris Christie's girth.

It's easy, it's fun, it's good for clicks and ratings. It's also kinda cheap.

The Washington Post used a pretty flimsy peg - Alabama high school football coach Bob Grisham caught on tape - to run a Style section piece on the weighty issue. "Fat butt Michelle Obama," the coach is heard saying, declaring her overweight. Grisham was suspended by the school (he says he misspoke).

But this is national news? Really? Find out Howie's thoughts here.

January 6th, 2013
12:38 PM ET

Hurricane Christie hits media

Ana Marie Cox, Tim Carney and Howard Kurtz on Chris Christie’s scathing comments about House Republicans’ failure to vote on a Hurricane Sandy relief bill.


Filed under: Blog • Chris Christie • Hurricane Sandy • Media Criticism • Politics • Reliable Sources