CNN had been doing an excellent job covering the Ukraine crisis until the Malaysian airliner crash became a page turner and eyeball stealer.An editorial judgement was made,not on the objective significance of a story,but on what American viewers are likely to watch.For the last few days,there has been little if any video from Ukraine on the network.Most of CNN's airtime has been consumed by the airliner story-plus a gas explosion in New York City on Wednesday.
These two stories are more riveting to most Americans than Russia's invasion and annexation of part of Ukraine.While the Ukraine story is likely to be more significant historically,CNN broke the continuity of its reportage on the story.It will probably pick it up again on Sunday when the unconstitutional and unmonitored vote on Crimea becoming a part of Russia will be held,but the break in coverage will make it more difficult for already globally detached Americans to comprehend the story,emotionally and intellectually.
Wolf Blitzer could have devoted a few minutes of his "The Situation Room" broadcast to video of the struggle for Ukraine's sovereignty and the rule of law,but it was entirely consumed by the heartrending lost airliner and the endless and useless speculation about its disappearance.His show was substantially about entertainment,not the hard and historic facts being played out on the ground in Ukraine.If CNN breaks the mold sometimes,it fails other times when eyeballs and ratings are on the line.
Ukraine was thrown under the editorial bus,not because it doesn't matter as much or more than the downed airliner,but because it is not as compelling viewing for most Americans.It's understandable from a TV business point of view,but it ultimately fails to fully inform the public.
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