CNN's Lineup Shifts Back To Neutral With Dobbs Departure

Once the acknowledged cable news leader, CNN has seen its brand battered by competitors on the right (Fox News) and the left (MSNBC). Nielsen Media Research reports that for Q3 of this year, Fox News is up 24%, MSNBC is up 22%, but CNN is down 10% compared with last year.

What's CNN to do? Shuffle its personalities, for one thing. Last night's sudden news that Lou Dobbs abruptly resigned from the network was followed quickly by the announcement that Jon King would take over Dobbs' 7 pm slot.

Dobbs may have become a liability for CNN in recent years. He evolved from an objective news anchor into a fiercely independent commentator, known for strong views on immigration in particular. Some progressive groups launched campaigns to try to get Dobbs off the air.

CNN views itself as more objective than Fox and MSNBC, and Dobbs was seen as too opinionated. "If CNN wants to be seen as the thoughtful, unbiased, middle of the road alternative to Fox News on the right and MSNBC on the left, this decision goes along with that," The New York Times observes.

The line between journalistic objectivity and opinion has increasingly become blurred in the television news business. In recent months, the Obama Administration has accused Fox News of being an arm of the Republican Party. Two days ago, ABC News anchor Charles Gibson told a Boston audience, "I worry about the lack of objectivity and the future of the news business," and complained that Fox and MSNBC are "delivering news based on the conviction of its viewers."

Stay tuned to see where Lou Dobbs lands next (he still has a radio show)... and whether his departure will bolster CNN's ratings.