Ali Velshi and Z: head to head on CNN's Reliable Sources
With the economy in meltdown in recent weeks, I have been writing quite a bit about whether or not the business correspondents at the networks and cable channels are providing viewers with the kind of reliable information, informed context and balanced analysis we need to make sense of the crisis.
Two of the cable TV personalities that I have singled out for criticism are CNN's Ali Velshi and CNBC's Jim Cramer. You can read the posts here and here.
This Sunday at 10 a.m. on CNN's Reliable Sources, Velshi gets a chance to fire back at me. It's a lively exchange -- even by the standards of cable TV.
The segment starts out with a general discussion of how the financial press has performed, but within a minute or two, Velshi is waving pieces of paper that he says are copies of my posts about him in front of the camera and questioning how I can write about him when I don't know him. He questions in a loud and excitable voice my post that said he is loud and excitable.
And before you know it, I might be sounding a little loud and excitable as well -- maybe more than a little.
I think we had a good discussion, and I appreciated the chance to expand the audience for my core message in the posts: that the business press needs to step up its game and rise to the occasion at this time of crisis with the best work it has ever done -- not the clown college cable host antics that Cramer so embodies.
But you be the judge, and I hope you will let me know your verdict right here.
As Howard Kurtz, moderator of the show and long-time Washington Post media critic and blog star, tells viewers on-air: Cramer was invited to appear, but declined.
Comments
Zurawik: 1
Velshi: 0
Z, it was clear that you had the upper-hand in that discussion because you stated what was important; we need reliable information to live our lives to the fullest. Velshi was not doing that. Way to come out of that discussion as the bigger man.
Hi Rick, Thanks for your comment. And thanks for re-infocring my belief that viewers and citizens really do want a channel where they can find reliable, trustworthy information, particularly in time of crisis. Please keep checking in with ZonTV, too. Z
Posted by: Rick | October 12, 2008 10:59 AM
I just got done watching the Kurtz piece, and I applaud you and Kurtz. David, you are exactly correct. I have been watching CNBC , Ali on CNN etc for the last two weeks, and Ali in particular has been almost hysterical at times. Especially when the first version of the bailout failed, he was predicting that the market would fall off a cliff because it did not pass. We needed information, facts, not Jeanne Dixon type crystal ball predicitons. And what we got was hysterical sky is falling verbage. Erin Burnett has been an island of sanity, when the other day on Scarborough she said there had been far too much hyperbole. David, do not let go of this. Even this morning, I was looking for some calmness from Ali, and what we got is similar to what we see on professional wrestling interviews. Honestly, when that man comes on CNN, I change the channel, he is that unreliable. To say that he is not as bad as Cramer and some of the others is damning him with faint praise.
For instance, I very badly want to know how much of our AIG bailout money has gone to naked credit default swaps on Lehman, and I cannot find that information anywhere.
Hi Randy, thanks. I am not going to let it go, believe me. I was just glad to reach a wider audience with the message that this is crisis, and if we in the press believe the best of ourselves, now is the time to step up and come through for the American people. Your question on AIG is on the money. We know so little about the AIG bailout, and they just keep getting more and more of our money. Thanks. PS Please keep reading, because I will stay on this issue. Z
Posted by: Randy Miller | October 12, 2008 11:10 AM
I saw most of the exchange and I admire your courage. I agree wholeheartedly with your views and previous blog posts about journalism vs. advocacy. It affects much of TV news. Many nice people seem to feel that journalism involves airing two different high-decibel points of view, rather than presenting facts & seeking truth. Sometimes a situation truly is a matter of opinion & lively discussion helps viewers learn. Sometimes there's a plain bold truth that may be disputed but is still truth. And as you've repeated, sometimes there are facts that must be plainly presented to help folks understand a situation before we can argue about truth. Thanks very much for braving CNN. As for me, just like my favorite philosopher Archie Bunker, I miss "that ol' pinko Cronkite".
Hi, Thanks so much. Your Archie quote on Cronkite made me smile ruefully. I remember when we thought of "All in the Family" as ehtoric that pushed the envelope for Tv language. Looking back, those really were the day. Thanks. Z
Posted by: Terry D | October 12, 2008 11:27 AM
What a good newcaster needs to do in this situation is to have a big program on how to protect you and yours from foreclosures, unemployment, etc. the kind of things that plagued America during the 1930s. If we are not prepared, who knows what will happen. If Ali Velshi is not doing this, he is failing as a newscaster indefinitely.
Posted by: Alex | October 12, 2008 7:41 PM
...you did well, considering the short time constraints of the program-- and Kurtz's usual robotic & superficial moderation.
Velshi was clearly on the defensive... and immediately went into the non-stop jabber mode to drown you out. (..luved your dead-on term of "Schtick" for that standard cable-TV buffoonery). The one time Kurtz even bothered to 'moderate' the verbal exchange... it was {amazingly} to silence you during your rightful turn to speak -- and permit Velshi to continue his interruption of your comments.
You correctly stated the basic 3-Step process for professional journalistic handling of business news/discussion, but IMO you mistakenly assumed Kurtz also understood & agreed with it -- his weekly "Reliable Sources" transcripts are proof-positive that professional-journalism is rarely seen on his program (or in TV News generally).
The major shortcomings of Kurtz and his program would make for a good column -- but then you would never be invited back on his show.
Posted by: K_Allen | October 13, 2008 9:09 AM
This reminded me of Jon Stewart's appearance on Crossfire a few years back. His pleading for real news and good journalism brought down that show. What you did reflected this very well. People need to understand the fine line between fact and opinion. The media spin has a tendency to blur this line in order to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. I know that TV news is slowly on its way out ratings wise, but the media should be the voice of the people; opinion and fact. In order for that to happen, we need to be shown the distinction between the two and we need leaders who show us how to do it well. I think what Jon Stewart and what you have done here are steps in the right direction.
Hi Conor, Thanks for the comments. Z
Posted by: Conor | October 13, 2008 12:19 PM
I totally agree with you, and you did an excellent job on CNN's Reliable Sources. He was extremely loud and excitable. I thought you handled his behavior quite well. You remained calm and stated the facts quite clear. I don't understand is why CNN has Ali Velshi their Senior Business Correspondent. What are his credentials? He has a degree in religion, and I don't believe he has any experience when it comes to the markets. Why don't they get someone actually knows something like Richard Quest or Poppy Harlow? This guy needs to go. Hopefully CNN will do something about this looser. Thanks for the good work and keep it up!
Posted by: Jason | October 27, 2008 2:04 PM
your interview with the British commenter on business was one of the most interesting things I've seen on T.V. these days. What was his name or his web address?
Hi Elli, I am not sure which commenter you are talking about. Can you give me any more specifics? Do you recall when you saw it. You don't mean Ali Velshi, do you? Ali looks like me -- bald, glasses, easily excioted....Thanks...Z
Posted by: elli shahideh | March 15, 2009 4:29 PM