Couric in Iraq: Lousy Ratings, Good Journalism

Despite anchor's road trip, 'Evening News' ties record ratings low
By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 12, 2007 6:04 AM CDT
Couric in Iraq: Lousy Ratings, Good Journalism
Television host Katie Couric watches the Carmen Marc Valvo fashion show in New York, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2005. Couric plans to leave Wednesday Aug. 29, 2007 for an ambitious reporting trip to Iraq and Syria _ the CBS anchor's first time in the war zone _ in anticipation of a crucial military report...   (Associated Press)

Katie Couric's trip to Iraq and Syria was a failure as a ratings gimmick but pretty good journalism, say critics. The "CBS Evening News" tied a record low of 5.5 million viewers last week, which the network blames on US Open coverage. And Harvard journalism prof Marvin Kalb says the broadcasts were well-done and informative, the AP reports.

"She deserves an honest reappraisal," says Kalb, a longtime CBS reporter. "Whether that will be given to her, who knows. But it's deserved." CBS News president Sean McManus says the trip was all about the journalism: "We all thought she would go over there and do a good job and she did." (More Katie Couric stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X