CNBC makes for an easy target

Marketwatch media columnist Jon Friedman writes Monday about how business news network CNBC set itself up nicely as a target for “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart.

Friedman writes, “CNBC has much to answer for and be embarrassed about. The network has gone overboard in its effort to dumb down business news for the masses.

“CNBC should know better by now and have a keener understanding of what its audience needs. After so many once-hot technology stocks crashed and burned a decade ago, CNBC’s personalities were castigated for having acted as cheerleaders for the shooting stars of the equities market.

“It has been a few weeks since Santelli freaked out and blasted Obama on the air. Even if the wounds aren’t quite fresh, his unprofessional behavior still makes you wonder: What the heck was he thinking?

“If Santelli truly believed passionately in what he was saying, he owed his colleagues — and his employer — a better turn. Then again, who am I kidding? CNBC seems to want, if not prefer, its on-air “talent” to raise the theatrics level as high as it can go.”

Read more here.