CNN came on the scene about the time Cronkite signed off, cable TV expanded the selection, local stations expanded their news programs, and now the Internet competes as a news source. Fink said he is encouraged that serious journalists are still drawn to broadcasting and the struggle to present fair and balanced reporting when the marketplace and audience demand entertainment. But Fink worries that more and more people are disconnecting from civic involvement and serious issues. That trend produces fewer people willing to watch TV news or read newspapers. And even though the economy is a bit bumpy now, it's as strong as it's ever been.
People feel safe.
They feel like there's no need to look over their shoulder. Another theory offered by authors Neil Postman and Steve Powers in ''How To Watch TV News'' is that we follow the news to take comfort in the disasters we escaped that day. We discover that most of our personal problems are petty when compared to others. We realize that we're lucky and we feel good that we're a survivor. This article published in the Athens Daily News on Sunday, March 4, 2001. send this story to a friend discuss this story email the editor opyright 2001 Athens Newspapers Inc.