When you are watching cable news, do you think of it as actually "News"?

Yes, I do consider most of cable news as news, not including the commentary shows like Hannity. I consider myself somewhat of a news junkie. I like to have cable news on the television when I am home. We don’t have cable at the moment, so I do miss my news sources. I’m now stuck with the Today show and Good Morning America. The first half hour of these shows is considered news, everything after that is celebrity gossip and if you can wear white after Labor Day. ugh

I miss Scarborough and Shepard Smith. They give us news.

No, I see it as a way to quell my boredom by watching some superficial entertainment. Or background noise.

All of those “news” stations are commentary on the news, not news.

Even their day time shows that are supposedly free of commentary (at least supposedly from the main people) are riddled with it. You just have to look closer to realize they are skewing their “news” to tell you how to feel.

I do not watch “news” that is broadcast on tv. It’s complete garbage. It’s also completely passive. How can I open a tab and research a claim? The nature of the stream of visuals and audio make it far from an ideal way to determine what is actually going on.

@tedd Some of it is commentary, not all of it. When reporters are reporting about the shooting at IHOP in Carson City, Hurricane Irene, wildfires in Texas, helicopter being shot down in Afghanistan, that is news (the type of news I’m looking for). Olbermann, Hannity and O’Reilly are emotional commentators. There is a difference.

If it wasn’t so soul-crushingly sad that we’re being entertained and distracted to a point of ignorance and inaction, then I might at least find comfort in the cleavage of FOX reporters.

@rOs I am now going to check the archives. If no one else has asked I am tempted to ask for opinions as to hottest news hosts

@rOs, three trillion GAs for your response. Stunningly brilliant, economical and hilarious.

I think of it as news, but usually with a point of view.

@Imadethisupwithnoforethought My vote is for Megyn Kelly :D And yes, she’s on FOX

@jonsblond She is smokin’. I’m a fan of Poppy Harlow from CNN.

I only watch cable news during disasters, and not even then, most of the time. I tend to think of it as news, except for Fox, which is pretty much opinion, although it does have a little news content.

I get my daily news on the Net. For actual “Breaking News” I go to the TV. I do not find “news” on the TV newsworthy most of the time.

I do watch in depth coverage or watch “specials” dedicated to a news story, but I realize it all has a slant.

Speaking of ‘news on the net’- there are some rather compelling stories floating around that were published today. I almost made a question about it. Unfortunately, I’m short on time, so my comments will have to be request only – this, this, and this are worth some consideration. If nothing else, they’ll provide a varied opinion to the norm.

I watch BBC news bulletins. BBC reporters are usually very good. They have integrity and insight and report on events in an honest and straightforward way. The BBC news will educate you. I also dip into Fox News at times because it fascinates me. It is like looking at exotic creatures in a zoo, it is hard to believe they exist, but there they are right in front of you. The trouble with Fox is that nobody there has an open mind. They see everything in terms of themselves and their own agenda. It is frightening, like looking at a boa constrictor that could choke the life out of you only, for now, it is safely behind glass.

@flutherother I will check that out. I know what you mean, sometimes at night we can get the World Service on the radio, It does seem qualitatively different from what I am getting on American TV

@everybody else Mika Brzezinski from MSNBC. So smexy

Yes, Nancy Grace is the only true source of information.~

@flutherother I’ve got to disagree with you. Shepard Smith and Megyn Kelly from Fox have open minds. Shepard Smith was disgusted with the circus surrounding Donald Trump and the Birthers and admitted to hating the distraction it caused from the real problems we are facing here in the states. There are a few gems at Fox. They aren’t all sheep. Judge Andrew Napolitano is another.

It’s just a way of seeing what everyone else is having.

I only watch BBC news on TV and it’s also my first choice for news on the web too.

As far as I’m concerned, cable news is slightly more truthful reality television.