‘Focus on informing, not alarming’: CNN News to trim the use of ‘breaking news’ banner

CNN News is set to reduce the usage of the “breaking news” banner during its broadcasts, according to a memo sent to the staff by the network’s new CEO Chris Licht, CNBC reported.

Over the years, the term has been exploited by news channels with the advent of the 24-hour news format and a race for television rating points. “A culture of 24×7 news channels operating on ‘breaking news’ models and polarised debates often distort and sensationalise news,” noted the 2021 digital news report on India by the Reuters Institute.

Meanwhile, in the memo circulated on Thursday, Licht said, “This is a great starting point to try to make ‘Breaking News’ mean something BIG is happening. We are truth-tellers, focused on informing, not alarming our viewers. You’ve already seen far less of the ‘Breaking News’ banner across our programming. The tenor of our voice holistically has to reflect that.”

The CEO has reportedly held meetings with employees to get feedback on when and how the banner must be used by the network. Additionally, Licht has asked CNN’s Washington bureau chief and senior vice president Sam Feist to come up with guidelines for the same.