Week 39: CNN and News Media

Diversity is any kind of variety that makes our world a better place.

A major milestone in the history of television occurred this week 31 years ago, when CNN launched its first newscast out of an Atlanta, Georgia studio. By broadcasting news 24 hours a day (instead of just 30 minutes a night), CNN forced the entire news industry to change.

Today, news has changed even more. Critics charge that there is less emphasis on journalism, and more emphasis on slicing information up into entertaining bits. When you factor in the Internet, the lines between news, opinion, and entertainment become even more blurry.

In an age where there is such a diverse selection of news sources to choose from it’s important for you to develop the critical thinking skills that help you to think for yourself, instead of having others do your thinking for you.

Remember, you don’t have to travel as far as Atlanta, Georgia to find diversity. There are hundreds of opportunities to celebrate diversity right here at your own school. Find one today