"Evening News" Cuts Back On "freeSpeech" But Here's Hoping It Won't Disappear

By: Vaughn Ververs
Topics: CBS News Issues

(CBS)

If you've been watching the CBS "Evening News" over the past few weeks, you might have noticed a slight trend – fewer "freeSpeech" segments. In fact, the last time the segment aired was November 3, when representatives of both major political parties split the allotted 90 seconds to give closing-day campaign pitches. Well, Washington Post media writer Howard Kurtz today reports that the "Evening News" is reducing the segment from every day to one-to-three times a week. Executive producer Rome Hartman tells the Post it is a fine-tuning of sorts and that the show has learned better how to use the segment.

Since anchor Katie Couric debuted, "freeSpeech" has been one of the most-discussed elements of the new "Evening News," drawing criticism on a number of different levels. Some were upset at the content of them, others complained that it has featured too many recognizable voices. And one would-be participant initially suggested that the network sought to stifle his "freeSpeech" idea.

Hartman has also indicated there was a level of opposition to the segment within the news division, telling Kurtz that some correspondents felt it took up valuable air time while others were opposed to the idea of commentary on the broadcast altogether. Everyone has opinions on the segment, it seems, including me. I like the idea, if not the execution to this point.

Those who complain that too many familiar faces have appeared seem to me to have a fine point. Rush Limbaugh has a three-hour radio program on which to exercise his freedom of speech, as does Sean Hannity. Arianna Huffington has a blog on which she can voice her opinions, and is no stranger to the talk-show circuit. And it's sure hard to argue that Senators John McCain and Barack Obama lack any access to a megaphone. Yet all of the above have been featured in "freeSpeech."

More interesting was the mayor of Hazelton, Pennsylvania, who described how his city is dealing with the challenges of illegal immigration or the mother talking about societal pressure mothers feel about the issue of breastfeeding. Especially compelling was the segment featuring a student at Gallaudet University, one of the nation's top colleges for the deaf, who signed her commentary about problems facing her school's leadership. You can see the full list of "freeSpeech" segments here. As you can tell at a glance, it's populated primarily by recognizable names.

Yes, 90 seconds of a 22-minute show isn't an insignificant chunk of time. But in an environment when television news can be resemble an assembly-line of cookie-cutter news – same stories, same pictures, same soundbites whever you turn – having something a little different isn't worthless just because it doesn't fit the template. It isn't necessarily valuable just because it has famous faces in it either.

This version of the "Evening News" is just over two-months old and I have no doubt we'll see plenty more tweaking in the coming months. It may be the minority position, but I hope "freeSpeech" will survive in some form -- one which includes more previously unheard voices than familiar ones.

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by CBSTV November 16, 2006 4:07 AM EST: Perhaps if "The CBS Evening News" had an hour of air time, this type of segment might be okay on occasion. But when the broadcast is limited to only about 22 minutes, airing "Free Speech" actually does a disservice to viewers because it elbows out bona-fide news reporting. Please, phase out this segment and concentrate on hard news.; Reply to this comment


by pendragon679 November 14, 2006 6:10 PM EST: "...raise the level of discourse."

Couldn't have said it better myself. It appears that some of those who post frequently can't seem to rise above the sort of schoolyard, "my daddy can beat up your daddy," bullying that some of us outgrew when we were 12. Then again, look what we've got in the White House...; Reply to this comment


by pendragon679 November 14, 2006 6:08 PM EST: "CBS used "FreeSpeech" along with the rest of their liberally-biased reporting and opinion to sway the voters. Now that the election is over, they are dumping "FreeSpeech" so that no attention is called upon the corrupt Democrat Leaders while they pursue their evil, immoral and unethical agenda... "

Huh? Is it difficult to drive a car with your head so far up your butt?; Reply to this comment


by one_american November 14, 2006 3:44 PM EST: CBS used "FreeSpeech" along with the rest of their liberally-biased reporting and opinion to sway the voters. Now that the election is over, they are dumping "FreeSpeech" so that no attention is called upon the corrupt Democrat Leaders while they pursue their evil, immoral and unethical agenda...; Reply to this comment


by memekiller November 14, 2006 2:56 PM EST: I like the idea of the segment, overall, but the execution is flawed. Is this a feel-good forum for the average Joe with something to say? Then what's Rush doing on there? If it's about cutting edge commentary, then you need people saying some truly dangerous things from the other side, like, America shouldn't torture, or Arab Americans who aren't supporting Rove's racial profiling, but pointing out that one of the main reasons we haven't had an attack here, as in Europe, is the patriotism of our Arab American communities. Your Columbine parent was giving a POV found all over right-wing media and websites.

So which is it? If you're going to have Rush on, then give us Borat, and if it's going to be average folks, then don't let it be abused by partisan ideaologues sneaking onto your forum to push partisan views. Either allow both sides to spew their venom, or raise the level of discourse.; Reply to this comment


by lrehfus November 14, 2006 12:32 PM EST: How sad. I thought this was one of the best parts of the new, groundbreaking newscast.
Please don't let all of it become gradually siphoned off, dumbed down, and lame - like all the others...; Reply to this comment


by baye13 November 14, 2006 9:46 AM EST: If you are so sure CBS is Liberal and not of your taste. Why are you hear? Why do you watch?; Reply to this comment


by jaguar0 November 13, 2006 11:25 PM EST: The problems, with CBS free speech, segments were, "YOU HAVE NO GUTS". CBS is so afraid, of being political correct, and not hurt anyone feeling. Free speech, could have been your most talk about segment People should have talked about Free speech, the next day at the office Talk radio, should have debated your FS opinions! CBS took a chance, on hiring a woman, as sole anchor, but when it came to FS, you became wimps. I am the person, who is credited, with destroying, Mike Tyson career, threw my op-ed piece in the Cleveland PD( with the help of a good editor). I did not say it is a shame that little Mikie is a bad man, and should not be boxing I created doubt in little Mikie mind, about his ability as a boxer, which forced him to fight the same way he did on the streets, by biting. I created emotions. People need to feel after reading or hearing an op-ed, angry, sad or happy. It is not what you write or say for that matter, it is how you say it, or write it! CBS Free Speech, most of the time does not say any type of emotions!; Reply to this comment


by lonestartnow November 13, 2006 8:08 PM EST: I haven't done this before and hope it is appropriate for the spot "Free Speech." It's an issue that with the new year approaching, everyone's number one new year resolution dealing with health and weight loss, that as co-founder of the LoneStart Wellness Initiative, a grassroots effort to encourage personal responsibility in the area of weightloss, health and wellness, that I am passionate about.

It seems that every day there is something; Reply to this comment