I applaud CNN for redesigning and putting more focus on their videos/ photography and hope to see a continue commitment toward journalism. I'm very sad to see them focusing more on "infotainment" as The Guardian article suggests. At a time when we need more journalism and information to help us solve our mounting problems (sagging economy, unemployment, healthcare, world/national issues and the fact that were in two wars) people still seem to need "celebrity" news and gossip to fill their days.
The design is clean and easily accessible and I believe more major news sites will shift the design to showcase visuals as they continue to try and peel viewers away from televison and magazine/newspapers. It will be interesting to watch and see how many hits the video sections get compared to the photo galleries on major news stories. MSNBC, NY Times, Washington Post usually get larger hits from still photo gallery than the do with most of their videos but I think that may change as more better internet connections continue and better video options appear. Hopefully, they can find a way to monetize the visual side and get rid of the irritating adds placed before the videos.
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I totally agree about your argument against "infotainment!" I feel that CNN.com has always been such a strictly-newsworthy site. It is definitely a little disappointing to see CNN stooping to the level of gossip. But perhaps, if people go to CNN.com looking for infotaiment, they might stumble upon some real news, and perhaps, get something out of it? I'm not sure..
ReplyDeleteI also like the way they redesigned it to cater to news videos. I'm really into visuals and this just draws the viewer into the news rather than just skimming over it. CNN is giving into the bubblegum infotainment becuase it wants to ride the popular wave but im guessing its just a stage they are going through and they need to do it to keep up with the youth and draw in younger readers.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that you brought up the internet connections, because I never realized it but it is true that a lot of times I won't watch cnn videos online becasue the computer I am on won't allow it, but technology is constantly changing so this is probably a good time for them to focus on their video.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, they are a 24 hour news network so if you were desperate you could also turn on their cable channel.
I think over the next five years that television will most likely move more onto the internet. Computer screens are getting larger with higher resolution, and connection speeds are getting faster. Much like video cameras and still cameras have merged. CNN is designing the site this way and targeting five years down the road.
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