Edward R. Murrow was having a good week. No small feat that, considering the vaunted newsman has not been with us since he shrugged off this mortal microphone 60 years ago. Yet there he was, on the tip of many a journalist’s tongue when the announcement came down that CBS News would be shuttering its entire radio division. Many of those decrying the decision were pointing out the history of CBS Radio, and cited Murrow frequently in their obituaries for the network.
What was not referenced nearly as much was the dearth of major radio figures in the era after Murrow. Seems telling that there was a need to reach back half a dozen decades to come up with a sterling radio icon to reference. You almost expected to hear Arthur Godfrey's name being dropped next, an indication that Bari Weiss was at least on the mark in her decision to haul the speakers outside for a yard sale. Weiss mentioned that the radio division was not generating revenue, meaning the years ahead would be awash in red ink with new labor contracts looming larger.
As CBS News announced it was shuttering its radio division in May, a score of journalists and media experts mourned the demise of the home of network icons Edward R. Murrow and, for a time, Walter Cronkite. https://t.co/sxrtKwgelm
— Corbin Bolies (@CorbinBolies) March 20, 2026
While Murrow was being invoked last week by AM chat groups, next was another phase of his disinterred memory. At CNN, there was a lot of social media chatter being received, with attention being something of a novel concept for that cable channel over the past few years. People began to notice a distinct alteration in the presentations of some select programs.
On “AC/360,” it was noted that the host Anderson Cooper was appearing intentionally casual by design. Dispatched was his usual coat, and he appeared at the table among guests, with collar opened and shirt sleeves rolled up. This was said to be a nod towards the days of Murrow. The network has this bygone era in mind for visual gravitas; last summer, they broadcast a live performance of the George Clooney Broadway production centered on the newsman, “Good Night, and Good Luck”.
This @AC360 - mic, shirt with open button at collar, tie loosened, no jacket, serious interviews - is a throwback to Edward Murrow, serious journalism and more. Nice work, Anderson pic.twitter.com/EjCKBTS5Ud
— Winnie Stachelberg (@WStachelberg) March 24, 2026
Many noticed on Cooper’s show that the wide shots of guests in attendance featured prominently sized microphones on the desk. This was a departure from the standard television mandate of hiding the microphones. Now they had very apparent audio devices in full view, and people latched on to the intent of this visual. More than a few people commented that this was done for effect to appear like a podcast setup.
Then it got more obtuse. Jake Tapper did an entire episode of his show “The Lead” from his literal office. Broadcasting from his desk littered with arcane objets d’art, he had the camera pan around and show his realm that is wallpapered with campaign posters from failed election campaigns. (Maybe not the best metaphor, given their ratings.) He, too, was geared up with a generously-sized mic, and a couch was brought in for his guests to be seated beside him, in an awkward arrangement.
CNN's Jake Tapper on why he's anchoring The Lead from his office pic.twitter.com/YSDRRU2JHU
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) March 21, 2026
Tapper opened his hour by alerting us that this was an experiment. It was meant to suggest to the audience the grounded “actual journalism” they allegedly conduct, “So here we are, giving it a shot,” said Tapper. Based on the responses seen throughout the weekend, they need to go back to whatever broadcast laboratory this idea was hatched in, as the experiment did not land well with viewers.
A few things concerning this effort are readily apparent, beginning with the fact that it delivered the impact of a parent attempting to try a new, hip trend that all the kids are involved with now. This was mostly a move of a visual nature. They are trying to display a new way of consuming their product, but this is done in defiance of what they are trying to sell. What is being seen here is nothing more than repackaging their same flawed product. It is relabeling, putting a new color scheme on the box cover, and coming up with new fonts on the logo. But the contents are the same, bypassed brand.
The amusement here is what they are striving to insist on with this shallow attempt. By looking to replicate the podcast chic, they are embracing a medium that this same network has been denigrating for some time. Alternative media has long been met with scorn from CNN figures, who suggest podcasting, blogging, and other disapproved outlets do not count, because those are sources that do not submit to the tough editorial rigor allegedly in place at the cable channel. I need to reiterate here that this is something THEY insist is the case.
This would be the time for a small reminder that CNN just endured a bout of repeated corrections and editorial alterations due to corrupted journalism on display. The network has a functional problem, but new set dressing and costuming changes do nothing to address those issues. And these surface changes, meant to achieve some form of solution, deliver another problem instead.
Not only do we see the network embracing the image and appeal of the medium that it has usually dismissed as inconsequential, but in doing so, it conveys an unintentional admission. Or even two. This desire to replicate the podcast aesthetic is recognizing a medium that has swelled with import and threatens the foundation of a traditional news source. As such, behold the paradox — we see them both denying and embracing the significance of this news delivery system.
Related, by seeking to rebrand like this, they are effectively suggesting that being the type of news outlet they are is a liability. The need to find a new image for their journalism admits that there are alternatives people might be seeking out. But the focus at CNN is purely on the surface, not on repairing its content. It seems clear they look at the Edward R. Murrow image merely as a brand, not an ethic to be put in place. "Let's cosplay as the hardscrabble newsman," without seeking to commit the shoe-leather journalism. That stuff is hard, after all!
After enduring a week of near-daily journalism missteps, like they recently experienced, there does not seem to be an effort to fix things and improve the product. Instead, they want to just place the same damaged goods in a flashy new container. They seem to only want to lure attention, not draw people in with a better item.
CNN set to cut employees this week as part of CEO Mark Thompson’s digital overhaul.
— johnny dollar (@johnnydollar01) March 24, 2026
This week’s cuts are likely to pale in comparison to layoffs expected if Paramount takes ownership of @CNN as part of its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery...
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