There was a kernel of something worthwhile that came out of the Reliable Sources segment (again, credit belongs to Kurtz’s guests): the observation that we live in a media environment where networks actively encourage and participate in, as Goldberg said, the “celebrification” of their news reporters; where CNN, for example, plays up Anderson Cooper’s cover-boy status (and, speaking of Paula Zahn, remember that CNN ad that promoted Zahn’s CNN show as “provocative” and “sexy” and included the sound of a zipper unzipping)? An environment where, I’d also add, CBS “puts Katie Couric on a Photoshop diet”, and has her lean against the news desk on her debut night as anchor of The CBS Evening News (shame to hide Those Legs behind a desk).

Not that I’ve (yet) seen CBS actively marketing Lara Logan as their New, Hollywood-Attractive Washington D.C.-Based Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent. Even if other media outlets present her that way.

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