A Media Review of CNN.com

CNN.com is the official web site for the CNN news organization. Right from the home page you can tell that the site provides a wealth of varying information. Some of the categories available to a visitor of the site includes the normal World and U.S. news, as well as sports, business, weather, travel and education. 

They also have a section of video clips on varying topics including the ones I’ve previously mentioned as well as “Sci-tech” (having to do with science) and “Offbeat” (having to do with strange and wacky news, for example today’s featured a grilled cheese eating contest, and a Python which may have swallowed a cat!).

Having previously analyzed FOXNEWS.com, it is apparent to me that in comparison CNN.com has a great deal more to offer in terms of amount of stories. Another key element that gives this site an edge is its well thought out integration of video footage into the articles.  Unfortunately some video did not work well, or even at all. I am unsure weather it is because of my media players, the fact that I use mac and not pc, or if it is a problem with their video files or server. 

The first article I read, “New Orleans Officer’s Plead not guilty” was well written. The article seemed a little negative toward the officers involved in the alleged beating of an elderly man, said to be intoxicated and violent, and assault of an Associated Press Television News Producer. However, this was not because of the writer’s words, but rather the quotes used, backed by video clips of the beating, and finally a separate, linked article about police taking 200 new and used cars from a dealership prior to Hurricane Katrina.