CNN’s Ken Jautz Outlines Changes: Emphasize Worldwide Reach; Be ‘Aggressively Independent’

by Mark Joyella | 12:14 pm, March 23rd, 2011

» 15 comments

If it seems that lately CNN’s looked a lot more international, with correspondents–some you knew and others you didn’t–popping up all over the globe, well you’ve noticed some of the changes put in place by recently-named CNN chief Ken Jautz. “It’s important to stand out by being different,” Jautz tells the Associated Press’ David Bauder. “If much of the cable space is politically oriented and partisan politically oriented, the way to be different is…to talk about different subject matters and approach it differently.”

And in recent weeks, with no shortage of international stories to cover, CNN’s suddenly decided to play to one of its strengths: its worldwide reach via CNN International:

Over the past few years, it was hard to tell that CNN had such a large international presence. CNN International, while produced out of the same Atlanta headquarters as the domestic network, might just as well have been part of another company.

Under Jautz during these big international stories, CNN has begun featuring news talent from CNN International. Hala Gorani has co-anchored newscasts on the main network, and reported from Egypt alongside Cooper. Isha Sesay co-anchored Blitzer’s “Situation Room” while he was on the road last week.

CNN’s hope is to create a contrast and make it appear that rivals Fox and MSNBC are one-dimensional with a focus on political arguments.

Jautz, who notably hired Glenn Beck at HLN, says differentiating CNN from politically-driven cable news does not mean being boring. As Bauder puts it, “he wants all points of view represented. He doesn’t like the term nonpartisan and instead prefers ‘aggressively independent.’”

Associated Press, CNN, CNN International, David Bauder, HLN, Ken Jautz

tatboy

‘Aggressively Independent’… but we all know which party 70% of CNN votes for…. *snicker*
Atticus Draco

“As Bauder puts it, “he wants all points of view represented. He doesn’t like the term nonpartisan and instead prefers ‘aggressively independent.’”

Uhmmm,, isnt that just another way of saying..
FAIR and BALANCED?
(tee hee)
Atticus Draco

Atticus Draco said:
“As Bauder puts it, “he wants all points of view represented. He doesn’t like the term nonpartisan and instead prefers ‘aggressively independent.’”

Uhmmm,, isnt that just another way of saying..
FAIR and BALANCED?
(tee hee)

that’s why most of us dont watch that network,,
it takes ‘em forever to get to the point!
skyfet

‘Aggressively Independent’: sounds like Deja vu to me.
Contessa

I’m liking this new approach alot! The international reporters are smart, well informed, can pronounce everyones name (no matter how complex) and even know the geopolitics of the world! OMG, what a treat!!!!!!!!!!!
felixw

To put “CNN” and “aggressively independent” in the same sentence is a joke. This network has become famous for its political correctness, “group think,” and reluctance to cover any story that doesn’t further a liberal political agenda.

But the saddest part about the whole CNN situation is the intellectual dishonesty. At least MSNBC is honest about its bias and partisan position. CNN continues this ludicrous charade of a newsroom packed top to bottom with liberals who want to convince everyone that they are moderates reporting “straight down the middle.” CNN will never — I repeat NEVER — fix its ratings problem unless it (1) honestly faces its institutionalized bias, and (2) takes steps to foster a newsroom where diverse opinions are given voice.

And just watch…the people who will jump in to defend CNN’s impartiality here will all be liberals. What buffoonery!
THE REAL ROYAL KING

I am pleased to read that we are going to have a more international approach. To be sure, that will put FOX “News” and its parochial outlook at a real disadvantage, but if anything ought to have been clear since 9/11, it is that events across the world often impact more upon us as a nation than, say, Bristol Palin shaking her stuff on “Dancing With the Stars”.

felixw said:
CNN will never — I repeat NEVER — fix its ratings problem unless it (1) honestly faces its institutionalized bias, and (2) takes steps to foster a newsroom where diverse opinions are given voice.

What an amazing twit you are. We are talking about taking the world’s preeminent news network, CNN International, and using its resources more aggressively. Do you have even the slightest notion of what the world impact of CNN International is? How many more viewers it has than FOX “News”?
felixw

THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
I am pleased to read that we are going to have a more international approach. To be sure, that will put FOX “News” and its parochial outlook at a real disadvantage, but if anything ought to have been clear since 9/11, it is that events across the world often impact more upon us as a nation than, say, Bristol Palin shaking her stuff on “Dancing With the Stars”.

What an amazing twit you are. We are talking about taking the world’s preeminent news network, CNN International, and using its resources more aggressively. Do you have even the slightest notion of what the world impact of CNN International is? How many more viewers it has than FOX “News”?

Which merely goes to prove my my final sentence, which was….

felixw said:
And just watch…the people who will jump in to defend CNN’s impartiality here will all be liberals. What buffoonery!

Case closed….
THE REAL ROYAL KING

felixw said:
Which merely goes to prove my my final sentence, which was….

Case closed….

“Case closed” and “mind closed” are two (2) vastly different concepts, although I do realize to most of the rabid rightist simpletons, it doesn’t even rise to the level of nuance.
mibwilso

A sign that CNN is independent would mean that it gets criticized by both sides….which it seems to be starting to do.

A truly independent channel will never satisfy the partisans on either side…and there’s no point in trying.
Severian

THE REAL ROYAL KING said:
“Case closed” and “mind closed” are two (2) vastly different concepts, although I do realize to most of the rabid rightist simpletons, it doesn’t even rise to the level of nuance.

Where’s the nuance? We got it, your mind is closed.
mmars

If they are being “agressively independent” then how do they explain giving air time to Wolf Blitzer and Eliot Spitzer?
Rescuedog

I know a lot of people on here will snicker, but I do find myself watching more CNN these days. But only during the day. Eliot and Piers are useless, and Wolf has become tiresome. He needs to cut way back on his air time. The other networks are no better in prime time. Greta is fine, but O’Reilly and Hannity bore me. Lawrence O’Donnell, Chris Matthews and Ed Schultz are a laughingstock. Rachel Maddow is an empress with no clothes. And since I don’t live in a trailer and don’t care to hear the latest “Tot Mom” update, HLN is out too, which means I’ve now seen just about every episode of How it’s Made on the Science Channel.
Marty73

CNN needs to drop all the pundits and just give us straight news and actual facts. There are too many pundits and commentators on CNN who have an ax to grind and the network would be much better off without them. CNN has some fine reporters on board and they have been making good use of them with the Egypt/Libya/Japan crises. This is a formula they need to stick with.
http://www.heartland.org/environmentandclimate-news.org/ClimateConference4 Just Tex

What are the chances that CNN will move their DC operation out of the DNC HQ? I’d say 50/50 at best.