Crossover-itis?

Postmedia News’ Misty Harris writes about anchors that branch out or “cross over” into realms that anchors aren’t normally associated with…

Crossover acts are not new. Barbara Walters, Geraldo Rivera, Julie Chen and Katie Couric have all traversed the line between serious news and more superficial entertainment.

Thompson notes that even the great Edward R. Murrow – a newsman whose name was synonymous with stoicism and integrity – saw his highest ratings with Person to Person, a pop culture show that pioneered the celebrity interview.

However, thanks to the combined forces of lowered attention spans, greater competition and vertical media integration, Thompson says the trend “has never been more blatant, or unapologetic.” And with YouTube allowing otherwise fleeting moments to endure forever, the strategy can backfire as much as it can boost.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Newscasters+celebrity+undermining+journalism+credibility/5536994/story.html#ixzz1aZbnRiit

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