I watched as each of these outlets line up behind President George W. Bush and help beat the drums of a war in Iraq to the American public. I watched each news organization sell the stimulus and Wall Street bail-out to an American public.

Never once were the hard questions asked about the presented information.

I don’t believe all journalists on these networks are at complete fault. It is the companies they work for. Huge media conglomerates own each of these outlets is out to make profits.

So, what we lose in America is an unbiased approach to news.

Now, I am not saying every reporter has the ability to report without some form of bias, but I think it can be done with as little bias as possible.

What happened is 24-hour news organizations are actually becoming entertainment organizations.

As John Stewart said in a debate with Bernie Goldberg, “I have not moved out of the comedian’s box into the news box. The news box is moving towards me.”

Entertainment has taking over the telling of the news and it is for profit and ratings.

It is up to the people to see what is possible and what can be done with media. People have freedom in America and with this freedom we can debate honestly and truthfully.

America is great because it is made up of individuals each who have their own belief politically, socially and the right to practice this freedom of ideas in an open forum. But to use a label of news organizations and then exploit liberal or conservative views goes too far.

I believe it causes the hatred and deep divides we have now in our country. Each news organization knows its audience and panders to those beliefs. Entertainment is now our news.

There is no one to blame. It is the consumer getting what they want. All I am saying is before you take the next commentator at their word. Do some research, step outside the comfort zone. If you are liberal look up some opposing views on a subject hear the other side from a reparable source and listen to the facts and not rants.

I ask the same from conservatives, find an opposing view listen to the facts from a reparable source.

It is hard. But I do it daily seeking truth in every story I read or hear about. However, it takes time to seek out the truth when you are bombarded by news that is out for entertainment ratings then informing the public.

Apparently though, it is now the fourth network that comes to mind to the American people.

Last week, the October primetime ratings for cable news stations were released and CNN limped to a fourth-place finish. According to an article in the New York Times, CNN was not only beaten by first-run airings of Fox and MSNBC editorial shows, but was even outwatched by a repeat of Keith Olbermann’s 8 p.m. show.

“Countdown.”

This was a first.

What does this say about the American people? What do we want when it comes to TV news?

More and more I realize that many people do not want hard news anymore but, instead, would like their own opinions validated by a talking head. Whether you watch Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity or Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow, you’re not getting real news.

What Beck, Hannity, Olbermann and Maddow do is spew their own thoughts about the issues.

This is why CNN is in last place — because they attempt to give its viewers hard news.

It is easy to see the difference between CNN and either Fox or MSNBC, and not just during primetime. Flip to CNN at 8 p.m. and Campbell Brown will be discussing what she believes to be news with “No Bias, No Bull.”

Whereas, if you turn on MSNBC, Olbermann will most likely be ranting about an issue, or constantly interrupting his guest. The same thing happens on the “O’Reilly Factor” with Bill O’Reilly.

CNN is more news-centric than any of its three better-performing competitors. This is why it finished last.

If CNN were a person, it would be the nice guy all the girls just want to be friends with. On the other hand, Fox and MSNBC are CNN friends that the girls want to date. They’re more interesting.

Fox News senior vice president Michael Clemente released a statement that said the average American knows the different between opinion-based coverage and news, using the editorial page of a newspaper as his example. But, as I have been told in several journalism courses here at CMU, this is not the case.

The problem is most people don’t know the difference between editorials and news stories. Many people, myself included, like to have their opinions validated by others. This is what primetime “news” does.

The primetime news ratings show that many people not only enjoy the “infotainment” of Fox and MSNBC more than the news-centric CNN, but also just want to be told what they already believe. If you’re a conservative, chances are you watch Fox. If you’re a liberal, you probably watch MSNBC.

But the focus of these networks should be to inform, not entertain.