Regular readers know my thoughts on the gang at CNBC. There are some outstanding journalists and others not so much. I have written about Erin Burnett the banking apologista, as an example of what might be improved.
Ultimately, the problem at CNBC as explained to me by a producer at the channel for 6 years, is the reporter and anchor culture is focused on securing interviews with CEOs and not on journalism. They tend to regurgitate press releases instead of investigate.
Theirs is a business carefully built around hype and puffery and that suits Cramer's personality rather well. Stewart's most useful criticism threaded CNBC for being clueless cheerleaders disguised as market experts. He admitted the Daily show is snake oil and chided CNBC and Cramer for not admitting the same about their network.
Some people at Media Matters have started an anti-CNBC petition and we're happy to do our part to publicize it even if their complaints are not exactly the same as our own. Don't forget, bailout politics make for strange bedfellows and we can agree to work together without needing to solve our differences.
If you are of the same mind, head on over and sign the petition. Let's be honest, however, CNBC will make no changes as a result of this grassroots effort. But hey, at least they will know we are paying attention and we wish for some improvement in their culture and coverage.