CNN has just released an ad that was incredibly subtle and also effective.
In the ad, there is an apple. The narrator notes that some people will call it a banana, and will be so adamant about it that they may actually shout "Banana! Banana! Banana!" but it is still an apple.
It closes with a graphic saying "Facts First" and the CNN logo.
It is, of course a subtle yet obvious smack at the Kellyanne Conways, Michael Cohens, Sean Spicers and Sarah Huckabee Sanderses of the world who insist on gaslighting the nation every time they open their mouths.
It's a great ad, and yet...
CNN still puts Ben Ferguson on the air.
CNN still puts Jason Miller on the air.
CNN still puts ex-Congressman, habitual liar and deadbeat dad Joe Walsh on the air.
CNN put King of Gaslighting Jeffrey Lord on the air for nearly a year after Trump was elected and would still have him if he hadn't gone a little too far down the Nazi rabbit hole.
Before the election they pumped oxygen into:
Scottie Nell Hughes, who famously said facts don't exist.
On a daily basis, viewers are gaslighted by...
Facts first, CNN.
Until you (and your competitors) start making a commitment to keeping these liars and gaslighters off your airwaves, they're still going to be shouting that apples are bananas, and they'll be loud enough to make a difference, especially when the President of the United States shouts "fake news!" at every factual report he doesn't like.
It is a good start, though. Just follow through with some cleanup on the programming side.
