FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2024
Contact:
J Cleveland Payne
More Better Media, LLC / The Conversation Project
http://thisistheconversationproject.com
theconversationinbox@gmail.com
Headline:
Now That Stelter Is Back : Taking The Conversation Further Syndicated Column For Release September 7, 2024
Subheadline:
Returning To The CNN Newsletter Her Created Will Keep The Brand Alive But Not Save Anyone
[Little Rock, Arkansas] — Let me take you back to the early days when I started paying attention to Brian Stelter. It was during my time in the Air Force, of all places. Stelter was this college blogger, running what might have been more like a newsletter than a blog, focusing on the behind-the-scenes action in the media world. He had gotten so popular that his following included big-name journalists who would share their personal dirt with Stelter for him to publish and for the world to see. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. If only I had some academic freedom back in college (meaning free time not consumed by ROTC duties and preparing for my Air Force commission), maybe I could’ve done something similar. Stelter had that head start, which, back then, seemed like a golden opportunity.
Fast forward a few years, and Stelter had risen through the traditional ranks of journalism. He carved out a name for himself, not just as a blogger, but as a broadcast journalist with a newspaper-like focus on media critique. His time at CNN began with a sidekick role to Howard Kurtz, the original host of Reliable Sources. Kurtz, however, ultimately found himself more aligned with the Fox News audience, leading to his departure. Stelter stepped up to the big chair and became CNN’s go-to guy for all things media-related.
This was a turning point for Stelter. He took full advantage of his platform, especially during CNN’s ongoing battle with Fox News. The tension between the two networks played out on Stelter’s Sunday show and his daily newsletter. His critiques of Fox News and its relationship with Donald Trump became more biting, culminating in books like
Network of Lies, which accounts for how the conservative news network extended its influence on our elections, and Hoax, which explores the ties between the network and the Trump administration. Stelter didn’t shy away from controversy, and, for a time, that seemed to be his strongest suit. He was a loud, often brash, voice in media criticism.
Then came the leadership shakeups at CNN. Stelter’s biggest supporter was ousted after a series of issues (ratings being one, but not the biggest), and the new boss was less fond of Stelter’s combative style. That led to a purge of CNN’s so-called “agitators,” and Stelter was one of the casualties. Many insiders in the industry were quick to label him a hack who had overplayed his hand. And just like that, Reliable Sources, the TV show, was dead. The newsletter, however, lived on, though now written by Oliver Darcy.
Another media critic on the CNN payroll, Darcy took over the newsletter solo. He later left CNN to launch a new, independent newsletter, free from corporate oversight. That opened the door for Stelter’s return to CNN and the Reliable Sources newsletter. The network, seeing an opportunity (or perhaps just running out of ideas), decided to bring Stelter back. This decision was easier to make after the boss who fired Stelter got himself fired for—you guessed it—not improving ratings.
Now, here we are. Stelter is back at the helm of the newsletter which made him a household name in media circles. But what does that really mean? For starters, it’s clear that Stelter’s return hasn’t exactly sparked a media frenzy. His re-entry into the newsletter space feels less like a triumphant comeback and more like a familiar rerun, a safe bet for CNN rather than a bold new direction. It’s as if CNN, in a desperate attempt to cling to its past, is using Stelter’s name recognition to keep Reliable Sources from becoming just another newsletter in a sea of media content.
So, how are people in the media reacting to Stelter’s return? It’s a mixed bag. Some long-time followers of his work are excited to see him back, hoping he’ll bring the same fiery critiques that once made him a fixture in media analysis. Others, however, are far less enthusiastic, questioning whether Stelter’s style is still relevant in today’s media landscape. With so much competition from independent voices and platforms, the question remains whether CNN’s decision to revive Stelter’s newsletter will actually move the needle.
For many, including myself, this return feels like a sweepstakes ratings ploy—a throwback to the days when networks would pull out all the stops during sweeps week to boost their viewership numbers. Remember sweeps week? If you do, you probably also remember a time when TV ratings were everything and network execs scrambled for any gimmick to gain a few more eyeballs. In a way, Stelter’s return feels like that—a move designed more to keep the Reliable Sources brand on life support than to inject it with new life.
The media landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years, and I’m not convinced that reviving Stelter’s newsletter is what journalism—or CNN—needs right now. Don’t get me wrong; Stelter is a skilled media critic, and there’s still a place for his voice. But this move doesn’t feel like a step forward. Instead, it feels like a band-aid slapped onto a faltering brand, an attempt to maintain relevance in an increasingly crowded media space.
Overall, Stelter’s return doesn’t bring any new spark to his career, but it might steady his paycheck a bit. As for the Reliable Sources brand, it doesn’t seem poised for any kind of revival. It just…is. And in a time when journalism needs innovation, fresh perspectives, and bold moves, simply existing isn’t necessarily a good thing for the future of journalism or CNN.
Call me jealous or a hater, but this view is shared by industry insiders with real clout and many who just want more resources for news and information.
About More Better Media, LLC & The Conversation Project:
The Conversation Project is a news and information-gathering project that operates under More Better Media, LLC (MBM). MBM has a bold commitment to help expand the world’s knowledge base, striving to provide high-quality content that educates, informs, and inspires. The Conversation Project produces Things You Might Not Have Heard, a weekday morning newscast, and a digest of popular stories showcased over the week called The Weekly Wrap. Both can be found at http://thisistheconversationproject.com.
For Media Inquiries: J Cleveland Payne
Owner / Producer
501-240-9670
theconversationinbox@gmail.com
