The Real Problem With CNBC
Cenk Uygur. The Huffington Post. 11 March 2009.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/the-real-problem-with-cnb_b_173761.html

I know that Jon Stewart and Jim Cramer have been in a bit of a "fight" lately. Of course, it's not really a fight because Stewart isn't doing this to pick a fight with Cramer or because he doesn't like him. He's making fun of him -- because that's what he does. ...

That's not the problem with CNBC. The real problem is their reporting -- or lack thereof. The CNBC reporters and anchors make the Bush press corps look like draconian inquisitors. They are obsessed with access. This is a problem with all of the media, and something Jon Stewart points out all the time. But it is particularly acute at CNBC (and all other business news channels).



The problem is being lost in the comedy and the complaints that "this is out of context." Well, as Uygur explains: the problem IS the context. Does a "hard-hitting accessed news organization" care more about it's access or it's reporting and analysis?

What did CNBC know and when did they know it? Likely they "knew" they're being snowed, relentlessly. Their real question is "what do we do about it?" On that count they did and are sadly failing.

If you think something is too good to be true, it is. 30% profits yearly for 10 years from investment with no product, no labor placed into that product to add value making 30% a year for 10 years? Well, yeah, that is too good to be true.

Stewart simply points out now that the preening emperors were walking about naked amongst each other and hadn't the gumption or good sense to say: "O, my god, we're naked." It's a news problem and it is the context of American "news" in general. --- Nichole

I think its a pretty sad statement on American Arts and Letters that the best social commentary we've had since the 90s has all pretty much been on cartoon shows like The Simpsons, Rocco's Modern Life, Family Guy and the rest.  What is really pathetic is that Jon Stewart - a comedy show host - is the only one to call these people on it.

I totally agree, Cat. That was the point.

Jim Cramer talks about how he's no Morrow or Sevareid. OK, but why can't he do some of those same things: cow moos and tossed horses would work as well for a lot of the BS he's heard as they do as props for other things.

And where in the heck does "hard-hitting news and analysis" come to play?