CNN - the "World's News Leader"

Through the utilization of satellite communication technology, this particular news network just grew and grew. Journalists and other news organizations constantly monitor this Atlanta, GA based television news network for any ground-breaking news stories. It is interesting to note that at the start of this century CNN was viewed in more than 150 million television households. This figure, globally, encompasses more than 212 countries and territories. A big CNN competitor is the BBC (British Broadcasting Company). As Daya Kishan Thussu notes on page 159 in, his book, "International Communication (Continuity & Change)": "BBC World, its 24-hour global news and information channel, can be seen in more than 55 million homes across 187 countries and territories." We all definitely know about both CNN and the BBC, but many of us have never even heard about Sky News. Surveys show that only a small percentage of viewers watch CNN. The quantity of news is not as important as how the news is ultimately covered. Radio, in our society, is often less thought about, but as a matter of fact it predominantly remains an important source of information. BBC World Service, like many other radio broadcasters in this day and age, combine programs on short wave and satellite apparatuses with new online services. People can now listen to these particular programs on the ever incumbent world wide web. 24-Hour conglomerate systems around the globe certainly revolutionized international news media as we know it. Television, ever since the Gulf War in 1991, has clearly become 'the first and principal source of news for most people'. As soon as reporters showed the world a bombing live from Baghdad, Iraq, the Gulf War in 1991 became known as the modern society's first 'real-time' conflict. Former president Jimmy Carter was quoted saying: "CNN has done more to close the gaps of misunderstanding between the world's people than any enterprise in recent memory." This is almost like, people from all walks of life uniting, when the latter speaks and understands the same language.

CNN is always trying to stay one step ahead of its' competitors. People from all around the world see CNN as a role model for all the values that our country coherently stands for. The role of CNN, the bottom line, is to inform the public. CNNfn was implemented in 1995 to provide breaking news stories about global business reports (and the various business markets out in the world). CNN-SI (Cable News Network-Sports Illustrated), implemented in 1996, was a 24 hours a day network devoted specifically to sports. The way CNN instantaneously covers international news is simply amazing. 150 correspondents were in 32 international bureaus by 1998. A network of 23 satellites, in 2000, transmitted the Atlanta, GA based television news network's programs to encompass the whole world. News in the television world is a three billion dollar business. Network executives are always thinking about just how to reach television viewers as fast as humanly possible and as accurate as humanly possible - 'the widest and quickest reach of live news to an increasingly heterogeneous global audience'. The quality of a news program - just how the news is presented to a television audience - is very important. Round-the-clock international news services, like BBC World & CNBC, have basically mirrored CNN. The established three main networks in this country even had to modify their news operations. It was no surprise when, with the implementation of cable in many households around the world, round-the-clock global news services became the norm. CNN gained prominence when, in 1996, it became a part of the Time Warner group. (Time Warner merged with AOL in 2000.)

The Atlanta, GA based television news network has certainly grown and expanded its' operations since it was originally founded by Mr. Turner in 1980 (almost three decades ago). As Daya Kishan Thussu notes on page 158 in, his book, "International Communication (Continuity & Change)": "CNN News Group was one of the largest and most profitable news and information companies in the world." Journalists' perspectives on CNN do not necessarily reflect American attributes (or values). Europe, in 1998, was one of the Atlanta, GA based television news network's most important markets. CNNI (Cable News Network International), reaching 79 million homes, thus, became the most watched news channel in all of (and all across) Europe. It broadcast round the clock to 37 countries. 4.5 hours of programming came from one of its' central hubs (In London, England). Even the German market, beginning in 1997, had a half-hour daily German language slot (CNN Deutschland). It was, therefore, no surprise that the implementation of other similar news networks in many foreign countries in the world followed suit. CNN, succinctly stated, is now recognized, all over the planet, as the global news leader in foreign affairs.