Friendly Warns Against News as Entertainment
Broadcast pioneer Fred W. Friendly warned a crowd of 400 journalism professionals and students at the Biltmore Hotel that journalism is “in danger of becoming an amusement industry.”
Friendly, former president of CBS News, was honored Wednesday night at the USC School of Journalism’ 30th annual Distinguished Achievement in Journalism Awards Dinner. Also honored were Eugene Roberts, executive editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, and syndicated columnist Carl Rowan, who was unable to attend.
Friendly, 74, professor emeritus at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, criticized ABC News and programs such as CBS’ “Saturday Night With Connie Chung” for using dramatic re-enactments to simulate news events.
“It makes me sick to my stomach,” he said.
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