Categories: OLD Media Moves

Why Mark Haines was special

Eric Jackson of Forbes writes Wednesday afternoon about what made CNBC anchor Mark Haines, who died Tuesday, so special.

Jackson writes, “He was willing to disagree with guests and challenge their unverified ‘talking points.’ And not just in a polite way but in a direct and passionate way.

“I didn’t always agree with Mark’s views, but it was so refreshing to watch someone say on TV what most were thinking at home.

“Why is this so unique? Unfortunately, not just in business TV journalism but in journalism in general, something has happened in the last 15 years.

“Mark Haines or Andy Rooney wouldn’t be hired if they were 25 and trying to break into the business today. They would be seen as not playing by the rules or full of themselves. Opinions and investigative journalism aren’t welcome in journalism today — especially not on television.

“If you are some 20-something and aspire to be on TV today, you had better be good-looking and articulate. You don’t have to even know that much about business. Let’s face it, you can fake it. Producers can whisper in your ear, you can read the teleprompter, you can be told how to pronounce certain words, or how to calculate fair value of the S&P Futures.”

Read more here.

Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.

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Veteran says:
May 26, 2011 at 4:30 am
I disagreed with just about every opinion Mark ever voiced, but by the gods he was the only journalism ace in CNBC's deck of jokers. Rest in peace, Mark. I'm sure you'll be welcomed inside the Pearly Gates and that your arrival there will stir things up.