Should TV guests have the right to challenge the media?
CNN's Howard Kurtz & Daily Download's Lauren Ashburn share their opinions on the Fox News interview that was cut short after Tom Ricks criticized the network.
So does Howie, who interviewed the military journalist recently, think the "Fair and Balanced" network should have let Ricks speak? Find out here.
Sneak peek at this Sunday's show
By Cassie Spodak, CNN
After much speculation, CNN announced Thursday that Jeff Zucker will be taking over as President of CNN in late January. We’ll take a look back at Zucker’s history at NBC’s Today show and his rise through the ranks at NBC Universal. Does Zucker’s past give us a glimpse at what he might have in store for CNN? Frank Sesno, Director of the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, Fred Francis, former correspondent for NBC News, and David Zurawik, media critic for The Baltimore Sun, discuss the decision to go with Zucker and the future of the network.
Keli Goff, political correspondent for TheRoot.com, and Ramesh Ponnuru, senior editor at The National Review, discuss the week in political coverage – from Pres. Obama’s use of social media in the fiscal cliff talks, to media coverage of Amb. Susan Rice and her possible nomination for a cabinet position.
Emily Bell, of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism, discusses the much anticipated report from Judge Brian Leveson on Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World phone hacking scandal. The British controversy has embroiled the press overseas and led Leveson to call for an independent group that makes sure the press meets certain standards of independence and effectiveness. Bell also discusses a British politician suing social media users for re-Tweeting a false accusation leveled at him.
In other news across social media, culture commentator Lola Ogunnaike discusses singer Chris Brown’s vulgar Twitter attack on a comedian, and tweets directed at Matt Lauer criticizing his coverage of the Thanksgiving parade.
This Sunday, 11am ET.
What we're reading this week...
By Cassie Spodak, CNN
Here are some of the stories Reliable Sources is talking about this week:
CNN chooses a news president – This morning CNN execs announced that as of January 2013 veteran news producer and former NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker will become the president of CNN Worldwide. Zucker, who most recently produced Katie Couric's new daytime talk show, had been widely rumored to be in line for the position. His news judgment and leadership made the "Today" show the most profitable show on television during his time there.
Unidentified Flying Insect? – KDVR reporter Heidi Hemmat has been investigating a strange phenomenon over the skies of Denver, Colorado ever since a viewer sent in video of what he claimed was a UFO. The site where the video was filmed has now become a tourist attraction, with dozens of fans showing up to film the skyline and obtain their own evidence. The problem? Those UFO's look suspiciously like bugs.
No more phobia for the AP – This week the online Associated Press Stylebook updated the use of words ending with "-phobia." AP Deputy Standards Editor Dave Minthorn told Politico that a phobia is by definition a "psychiatric or medical term for a severe mental disorder." According to Minthorn this makes the use of -phobia when it comes to social or political contexts simply inaccurate. This means words like "Islamophobia" and "homophobia" will no longer be used.
The curse of "Two and a Half Men" – Angus T. Jones, a young actor on the hit CBS show, said in a YouTube video that his show is filth and he begged viewers to stop watching. The confession was part of a video where Jones talks about being a Christian and part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. No surprise, a day later came the apology with Jones saying "I apologize if my remarks reflect me showing indifference to and disrespect of my colleagues and a lack of appreciation of the extraordinary opportunity of which I have been blessed."
O'Reilly doesn't get "Gangnam Style" – Last night on Fox News Bill O'Reilly dug into the phenomenon that is Korean pop star Psy's hit video. O'Reilly says the song "means nothing" and that "this is a little fat guy from Yong yang... he’s jumping up and down." His guest, psychiatrist Keith Ablow, says the video's popularity speaks to the fact that people today want something without any meaning. Psy himself has said the song is "just FUN" – yet it's obvious the song has tapped into something meaningful, if just for the explosion of copycats.
What are you reading?
Big media should tolerate criticism
By Howard Kurtz, CNN
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) - It was a remarkably short interview by cable news standards.
The moment that veteran military reporter Thomas Ricks, in an appearance on Fox News, begin to unload on Fox, he found his segment abruptly ended. Thank you, very much. Nice of you to drop by. Adios, amigo.
Whiffing On The Fiscal Cliff
Bob Cusack, Jane Hall, Amy Argetsinger and Howard Kurtz discuss whether the media’s fixation on the Petraeus scandal is overshadowing more significant stories like the fiscal cliff.
Pundits Predicted Romney Win
Bob Cusack, Jane Hall, Amy Argetsinger and Howard Kurtz on the pundits whose predictions of a Romney election victory were off the mark.
Petraeus And The Press
Tom Ricks and Howard Kurtz on whether David Petraeus’s previously cozy relationship with the media has impacted coverage of the scandal that led to his resignation
Race-Baiting Media
Eric Deggans talks to Howard Kurtz about his new book on how the media handle race-related stories.
A New Kind of Watchdog Journalism
Jezebel editor Jessica Coen talks to Howard Kurtz about her website’s exposure of racist Tweets reacting to President Obama’s election victory
Philip Roth Puts Down His Pen
Howard Kurtz gives his thoughts on the legendary writer’s retirement.
About "Reliable Sources"
Now more than ever, the press is a part of every story it covers. And CNN's "Reliable Sources" is one of television's only regular programs to examine how journalists do their jobs and how the media affect the stories they cover.
Subscribe on iTunes | Instagram
Tune in every Sunday at 11am Eastern time!
About the host
Brian Stelter is the host of "Reliable Sources" and the senior media correspondent for CNN Worldwide. Before he joined CNN in November 2013, Stelter was a media reporter for The New York Times. He is the author of the New York Times best-seller "Top of the Morning."
Here's his biography. You can read his stories on this blog and at CNNMoney.com/Media/.
@cnnreliable on Twitter
