Although I too regret the disappearance of the journalism embodied in Dan Rather's and Elliot Kirschner's CBS, I still try to find bright notes in 2025. One of the few I have found is that Substacks and other online platforms give Rather, Kirschner, Cox Richardson, and others like them, opportunities to express themselves without interference from bean counters upstairs. For this, I am grateful.
Welcome to NYC, Elliot! I know you know your way around the city, as well as you know your way around good, long-form journalism. Your passion for the truth, for the importance of making the information available to the general public, is equal to your talent for expressing and explaining that importance. It's a relief to read your Substack, and those of other equally passionate journalists, after seeing too many sloppy, inaccurate, or outright lies that crowd the internet and even print media. You're correct - we can't go back, and yet we MUST learn lessons from what has been and what is being reported. I was so fortunate to grow up watching Douglas Edwards, Walter Cronkite, and Dan Rather, and Edward R. Murrow's shows too, and I always believed that CBS News was the best national news team. That the 60 Minutes piece was pulled is an unfortunate example of capitulation to fascism (and make no mistake, this administration is a fascist administration), too much of which we're seeing daily. I think you've written one of your most important pieces. Thank you yet again for another opportunity to read an intelligent, compelling, and NECESSARY warning.
What are alternatives? We watched the equal time broadcasting regulations be eliminated. Our free press media should not be financially dependent on the good will and ethics of for profit corporations. Are our air waves even if digitally transmitted no longer the property of we the people?
Yes, I remember the transition from communal broadcast to the privatization of cable disemination of information. It was exciting and freeing to have so many choices without all the government restrictions. The internet pushed the boundaries even further leaving the tamed and neutered broadcast media in the dust.
"The gods punish us by granting our prayers." Today, I need an alogrithm to sift through the torrent of choices vying for my attention and eyeballs. I no longer have time for indepth analysis only parceling enough attention span for headlines, bullet points, and executive summaries.
It is ironic that as the world becomes more complex, we can only tolerate simple, brief engagements. Even the most heinous events such as covered in the CBS report have only a brief lifespan before they are caught in the whrilpool of universal anxiety and panic. But, "the medium is the message", and over the years we have fully monitized the medium for private enterprises. Public airways have morphed into private streams (pun intended) of profit without much regulation or concerns for public welfare. AI "slop" will only increase the threat. We are sleepwalking into a disaster of our own making.
We are in a worrisome time and need more people like you, as well as more people to pay attention and be aware of what is happening across the country and around the world.
As long as there are journalists like you, Elliott, who were schooled by the greats when CBS had an enviable reputation, we readers/watchers remain in good hands. Thank you for cherishing the history and doing your best to revive it in whatever different ways that emerge. We can no longer count on legacy media but look to those who have left it to join such platforms as Substack, Bluesky and YouTube to get the truth out to those of us who consider it invaluable.
Catchy title Elliot! I once ran the projectors at the picture show. It was rare but occasionally things got out of frame and had to be adjusted. I'm currently trying hard to take a break from substack, but couldn't resist reading your article. Thanks and Happy New Year!
I just finished reading Elliot Kirschner Substack commentary regarding the 60 Minutes story that was pulled by CBS due to the pressure they were getting from the current White House. This issue has been in the news for several weeks which many may have already read or seen. However, I think Kirschner's history with CBS provides some insight that is well worth the time to read.
Very well said, and extremely important if we are to preserve the well understood democracy that has made the USA so distinct and significantly advantageous for all humanity. Our country was a wonderful model for good government, but Trump is distorting and destroying what was once marvelous in preserving the truth about important people and events.
Although I too regret the disappearance of the journalism embodied in Dan Rather's and Elliot Kirschner's CBS, I still try to find bright notes in 2025. One of the few I have found is that Substacks and other online platforms give Rather, Kirschner, Cox Richardson, and others like them, opportunities to express themselves without interference from bean counters upstairs. For this, I am grateful.
Hear, hear! I'm grateful too, Marvin.
Good reminder that the reliable media glass still is (more than?) half-full.
Great piece father!!
Welcome to NYC, Elliot! I know you know your way around the city, as well as you know your way around good, long-form journalism. Your passion for the truth, for the importance of making the information available to the general public, is equal to your talent for expressing and explaining that importance. It's a relief to read your Substack, and those of other equally passionate journalists, after seeing too many sloppy, inaccurate, or outright lies that crowd the internet and even print media. You're correct - we can't go back, and yet we MUST learn lessons from what has been and what is being reported. I was so fortunate to grow up watching Douglas Edwards, Walter Cronkite, and Dan Rather, and Edward R. Murrow's shows too, and I always believed that CBS News was the best national news team. That the 60 Minutes piece was pulled is an unfortunate example of capitulation to fascism (and make no mistake, this administration is a fascist administration), too much of which we're seeing daily. I think you've written one of your most important pieces. Thank you yet again for another opportunity to read an intelligent, compelling, and NECESSARY warning.
VERY well written. Thanks... And, one way or another, "Happy New Year"!
(The buffett analogy DID work well)
Bam, pow: ". . . whose work had shaped how the world understood itself" lands with force.
Stylish, perfect phrase, Elliot. The buffet analogy also works well.
What are alternatives? We watched the equal time broadcasting regulations be eliminated. Our free press media should not be financially dependent on the good will and ethics of for profit corporations. Are our air waves even if digitally transmitted no longer the property of we the people?
All great questions. And the reckoning and rebuilding of a free press must be part of the rebuilding of our democracy which I feel will come.
Yes, I remember the transition from communal broadcast to the privatization of cable disemination of information. It was exciting and freeing to have so many choices without all the government restrictions. The internet pushed the boundaries even further leaving the tamed and neutered broadcast media in the dust.
"The gods punish us by granting our prayers." Today, I need an alogrithm to sift through the torrent of choices vying for my attention and eyeballs. I no longer have time for indepth analysis only parceling enough attention span for headlines, bullet points, and executive summaries.
It is ironic that as the world becomes more complex, we can only tolerate simple, brief engagements. Even the most heinous events such as covered in the CBS report have only a brief lifespan before they are caught in the whrilpool of universal anxiety and panic. But, "the medium is the message", and over the years we have fully monitized the medium for private enterprises. Public airways have morphed into private streams (pun intended) of profit without much regulation or concerns for public welfare. AI "slop" will only increase the threat. We are sleepwalking into a disaster of our own making.
We are in a worrisome time and need more people like you, as well as more people to pay attention and be aware of what is happening across the country and around the world.
Thanks for the great piece.
As long as there are journalists like you, Elliott, who were schooled by the greats when CBS had an enviable reputation, we readers/watchers remain in good hands. Thank you for cherishing the history and doing your best to revive it in whatever different ways that emerge. We can no longer count on legacy media but look to those who have left it to join such platforms as Substack, Bluesky and YouTube to get the truth out to those of us who consider it invaluable.
Catchy title Elliot! I once ran the projectors at the picture show. It was rare but occasionally things got out of frame and had to be adjusted. I'm currently trying hard to take a break from substack, but couldn't resist reading your article. Thanks and Happy New Year!
If only all our journalists would speak out so clearly…but I can only conjure up one response and it’s that I am so sorry for your (our) loss.
I see no change unless/until journalists in solidarity speak out for themselves and their profession.
A most enjoyable read with deep perspective. Thank you.
I just finished reading Elliot Kirschner Substack commentary regarding the 60 Minutes story that was pulled by CBS due to the pressure they were getting from the current White House. This issue has been in the news for several weeks which many may have already read or seen. However, I think Kirschner's history with CBS provides some insight that is well worth the time to read.
Thank you.
Very well said, and extremely important if we are to preserve the well understood democracy that has made the USA so distinct and significantly advantageous for all humanity. Our country was a wonderful model for good government, but Trump is distorting and destroying what was once marvelous in preserving the truth about important people and events.
I always enjoy your perspective, Elliot. Happy new year. May it be a better one than last.
Well said!