Whoever wins the Biden-Trump debate, CNN hopes to claim victory

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As a devoted cinephile and media consumer with a deep appreciation for the role CNN plays in shaping our political discourse, I am eagerly anticipating Thursday’s Biden-Trump debate on the network. With its rich history and iconic logo, CNN has always been a trusted source of information for me, especially during major political events.

Thursdays expected Biden-Trump debate holds significant importance for CNN, as they hope it will boost their reputation during a period when securing success is crucial for the established cable news network.

During the highly anticipated 2024 presidential debates, a global audience will tune in to see the CNN brand and its respected political hosts, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, facilitating the event. The viewership for this broadcast, which will be carried by various networks including rivals, is projected to surpass the 73 million viewers who watched the initial Biden-Trump debate in 2020.

CNN, which has faced management changes, talent dismissals, and a move away from conventional TV viewing, is using this significant occasion as an opportunity to renew its appeal to consumers who have turned to other sources for news in the past few years. With Warner Bros. Discovery now in charge, CNN’s US viewership according to Nielsen has dropped by 24% since 2022.

“According to Jon Klein, a past CNN president turned digital media innovator, it’s essential for viewers to remember the vital part they play as dependable information providers. With Dana and Jake, two seasoned pros in the field, this is an excellent chance to exhibit CNN’s strengths at their best.”

Obtaining the right to host the initial debate for the 2024 presidential election was a major achievement for CNN. Previously, no media outlet had been given this role during general election debates which started in 1960. Since 1988, the Commission on Presidential Debates has been responsible for choosing the locations, moderators, and rules for these high-profile encounters.

As a movie critic, I’d put it this way: This year, the presidential campaign teams skipped over the commission, leaving CNN as the primary host when President Biden and former President Trump go head-to-head in debates at CNN’s studios in Atlanta.

The format of the upcoming debate between Biden and Trump will differ from previous encounters. Instead of facing each other on a college campus with live audiences, they will interact in a television studio, addressing their remarks solely to the cameras and the viewers tuning in at home. No audience cheers will be present.

During the upcoming debates, CNN intends to mute the microphones of candidates when their designated speaking time elapses. In the initial 2020 debate between Trump and Biden, the former frequently interrupted the latter, an action that several commentators felt negatively impacted Trump’s presentation.

David Chalian, CNN’s political chief, asserts that the television network’s extensive background in hosting presidential debates and community forums significantly enhances its appeal to candidates, despite their differing viewpoints.

Chalian expressed his perspective, saying, “Our past successes and proficiency in handling large-scale political events might have given the campaigns confidence, although you should directly ask them for confirmation.”

Still, CNN and its journalists have come in for partisan attacks ahead of the big night.

I’ve worked as a journalist for over a decade now, covering politics and current events with unyielding dedication. Lately, I’ve found myself at the center of a social media storm, as Tapper and Bash, two prominent journalists, have faced intense criticism from Trump supporters. Their past critiques of the Trump presidency and contentious exchanges with administration officials have been widely shared online, fueling accusations that they won’t give the Republican a fair shake.

In today’s media landscape, it’s expected that news commentators will experience criticism from viewers whose political beliefs differ from their own. CNN’s team, including Tapper and Bash, have shown they can focus on their work despite this political volatility.

“According to Chalian, the mission on Thursday night is distinct from other matters, focusing solely on allowing American voters to listen firsthand from the two candidates about the concerns of greatest importance to them.”

Fox News is one of the conservative channels airing the debate in sync with CNN, and they’ve displayed CNN’s logo during their promotion of the event. However, Fox News commentators have not held back from criticizing the debate moderators for supposed bias against Trump and labeling CNN as “fake news.”

Sean Hannity expressed doubt over the journalistic credentials of Tapper and Bash during his Monday show, stating, “They label themselves as journalists, but I have my reservations… It seems we’ll be in for an uneven debate with a potential three-to-one mismatch.”

Trump supporters are skilled at overwhelming the conversation with synchronized messages, and the criticisms of Tapper have extended to CNN’s broadcast. During a CNN appearance on Monday, Trump representative Karoline Leavitt accused Tapper of bias towards the Republicans. However, her remarks were interrupted by CNN This Morning anchor Kasie Hunt who stepped in to support her colleague, thereby ending the interview.

A segment of the argumentative interaction between Trump and others was widely disseminated among conservative media outlets, fueling discussions that Trump was entering unfavorable grounds.

Following the controversy, CNN issued a statement endorsing Tapper and Bash. The network acknowledged their extensive background in facilitating significant political debates, including the Republican Presidential Primary Debate for this election cycle. In essence, there are no more qualified individuals than Tapper and Bash to jointly lead an informative and truthful conversation.

Larry Sabato, head of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, stated that the debate moderators would encounter criticisms regardless of the broadcasting network. He anticipates these assaults to persist all through the week, encompassing the aftermath analysis as well.

As a moviegoer, I can only imagine the heated debates that will unfold on social media once again. “This moderation is unbearable,” some may exclaim, while others will retort, “Why wasn’t that question posed to candidate Biden instead?” Both sides will passionately voice their concerns, filling our digital screens with a cacophony of perspectives.

The event date is several months ahead of typical general election debate schedules, giving CNN an edge. Previous presidential debates saw their first candidate encounters in autumn. However, considering the current trend of early voting, which commences in some places as early as September, the Thursday setup adapts to this new normal.

If a simulcast attracts more viewers on a competing CNN channel, the network’s brand and personalities will still benefit from increased exposure through social media clips and online streaming. This continued visibility holds true up until the candidates’ next live debate in September.

At a point when numerous viewers are shifting away from conventional TV, Klein emphasized the significance of increased exposure for our news network.

Allowing individuals to reengage with the discussion digitally is crucial for introducing CNN’s brand to a fresh group of users and reinforcing the desire among younger news viewers for impartial, unbiased reporting that CNN provides. (Klein’s statement)

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2024-07-18 22:02