Many local news stations are just culpable.
CNN HEADLINE NEWS PLUS
The red, black and white breaking news background graphic had started being used for a good portion of an entire program, even when the stinger itself wasn’t aired.ĬNN is by no means the only broadcast outlet to basically make “breaking news” into a “brand” that is often used seemingly synonymously with pretty much any news story.Īll of the big three networks plus cable networks are guilty of doing it - with their morning and evening newscasts labeling multiple stories as “breaking news” despite some being hours or even days old. The issue at CNN extends beyond just the use of the banner, which is sometimes known as a stinger. As I have said, we must be vital, relevant and respected - and how we show up for our audiences, in every story, in every part of the country, and around the world, matters.” “The tenor of our voice holistically has to reflect that. You’ve already seen far less of the ‘Breaking News’ banner across our programming,” the memo continues. “We are truth-tellers, focused on informing, not alarming our viewers. In the memo, he announced that an entry for use of the term has been added to the network’s internal stylebook and that feedback on the guidelines is welcome. It has become such a fixture on every channel and network that its impact has become lost on the audience.” “Something I have heard from both people inside and outside the organization is complaints we overuse the ‘Breaking News’ banner,” the memo reads.
The network is starting to explore its use of the phrase “breaking news,” according to a memo that Licht sent out Thursday, June 2, 2022. It’s no secret that the term “breaking news” has become one of the most universally overused ways to label news stories - even ones that aren’t exactly “just in” - and newly-installed CNN CEO Chris Licht appears to agree.