Viewers of CNN’s ‘Newsnight’ Pick Stories They Want to See

Viewers of Cable News Network’s “Newsnight” experimented with an interactive format early today, using their telephones to select stories on the controversial anti-depression drug Prozac and an Alabama marijuana eradication program.

About 1,400 callers to a 900 number shelled out 75 cents to choose their favorite story from six choices. Besides the two winners, these included the latest testimony in Washington Mayor Marion Barry’s drug trial, a sailing program designed to keep native American teen-agers off drugs, summer jobs and saving the spotted owl.

“This was the shakedown cruise,” “Newsnight” Executive Producer Joshua Loory said after the show. “I think there were some minor production problems, but all in all it went pretty well. I’m tickled right now.”

Near the beginning of the hourlong show, which begins at midnight, viewers were presented with a menu of the six stories and the 900 number. The calls were tabulated by computer, and the two most popular stories were fit into the newscast.

The rest of the show was taken up with other news stories, chosen by the editors.

“I was very pleased with it,” Loory said. “We got 1,400 calls which is very, very nice for a five-minute window.”

The story on Prozac received 35% of the vote while the drug eradication program received 26%.