Here is what we learned about the state of international news coverage on broadcast and cable networks. I touched on cable last week so let me start with the performance of the big three. CBS, NBC, and ABC, all stumbled out of the gate.
Since the horrific terrorist attack began on a Saturday, networks were down to skeleton weekend crews. I used to anchor ABC weekends World News so I am familiar with staffing. There are good people on duty, but much fewer. Bureaus are virtually closed or staffed at home with producers on call. One or two correspondents were assigned to cover in Washington and New York. So when a huge story breaks an all-call goes out and all respond. But in today’s budget-cutting reality, there are many fewer people to hear that call, especially overseas.
There are very strong, among the best of the best assigned overseas. At CBS, Holly Williams and Charlie D’Ageta are first-rate. Brave, skilled, and experienced. At NBC, Richard Engel is well versed in the Middle East, and at ABC Ian Pannell and James Longman, both Brits, are experienced war reporters, having gone deep into Ukraine in some hairy conditions.
But, all — except Richard Engel, who lives nearby — work from London. There are no longer real bureaus in Israel or the Arab world. That means not only is response time slowed, but there are no correspondents on the ground cultivating sources or living the experience of the people. That does make a difference.
When foreign correspondents arrive on the scene today, they are reduced to reporting the obvious, pointing at what’s in front of them with little nuance. Lots of what we call in the business, “walk and talk”. Unfortunately, there was lots to see. Unimaginable destruction and human pain. Once the nets got up and running by Monday with all the troops parachuting in and anchors appearing live in Tel Aviv, we began to see their skill at storytelling.
ABC’s David Muir put on a flack jacket and helmet to walk through a kibbutz near the border with Gaza, capturing the horror that happened days before. Honestly, I usually find there is way too much David in Muir’s reporting. But in this case, it brought humanity and reality to the story.
Norah O’Donnell also left the rooftop anchor position to visit and report firsthand the terrifying situation experienced by Israelis attacked, murdered, and kidnapped by terrorists. Lester Holt, a distinguished veteran anchor, seemed off his game. He looked tired and his reports were confined to loved ones and hospitals attending to victims. His reporting seemed detached, even remote when compared to his colleagues at the other networks.
Richard Engel did bring NBC viewers some of the reality and energy that makes war coverage so compelling.
Now to the cables. It’s almost unnecessary to talk about anyone other than CNN on this story. As I covered last week, CNN was strong out of the gate because they have an operating bureau in Jerusalem and has Christianne Amanpour in London to anchor coverage Saturday and parts of Sunday until Anderson Cooper arrived in Tel Aviv. Joining him soon was Erin Burnett.
Both CNN anchors brought empathy and compassion to their heartbreaking live interviews with victims and loved ones, frequently tearing up at their stories. They emphasized their humanity by allowing themselves to feel the pain of those speaking of and in their pain. Norah O’Donnell on CBS showed similar compassion.
The reporting on CNN led by Clarissa Ward — who was in constant danger from incoming rocket fire — and Nic Anderson — also on the front lines — was stellar. CNN’s added advantage is its presence in Gaza .A reporter on the ground there is vital among the cables, this is what CNN does best.
It is surprising to me that MSNBC doesn’t do better, having the resources of NBC available. They anchored from D.C. and New York and rather than emphasizing the on-the-scene reporting focused on analysis and experts. That is all good while covering politics, which MSNBC specializes in, but when war breaks out viewers want to be on the scene.
As for Fox, I don’t consider it a news organization anymore. Its prime-time hosts and the lame attempts at humor on The Five and late-night schtick make them unworthy of review in serious news coverage.
Overall the coverage of this important tragic war has been poignant, valiant, difficult to watch, and vital. Bravo to the brave journalists who risk their lives to keep us informed.
Jim Avila previously served as a weekly columnist for Barrett News Media. An Award-winning journalist with four decades of reporting and anchoring experience, Jim worked as Senior National Correspondent, 20/20 Correspondent, and White House Correspondent for ABC News. Prior to his time with ABC, he spent a decade with NBC News, and worked locally in Los Angeles and Chicago for KNBC, and WBBM. He can be found on Twitter @JimAvilaABC.
