Since The CBS Evening News With Katie Couric introduced a 90-second segment called "freeSpeech," it has been criticized for an absence of average and progressive voices. Thus far, the segment has allowed people with strong political clout like Rudy Giuliani and former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson and people who already have media platforms like Rush Limbaugh, Morgan Spurlock, and even former CBS anchor Bob Schieffer (wonder how he got that gig?) a chance to be heard... yet again. (Another person who already has a show, Bill Maher, alleged that he was given a list of "approved topics" prior to the taping of his appearance. CBS denies the claim.)
And now word from Broadcasting & Cable that "freeSpeech" is endangered at CBS:
Word from inside CBS News is that the segments have been unexpectedly labor-intensive, requiring some commentaries to be reshot and more than a little coaching for commentators who aren't blessed with Limbaugh's natural charm. And it remains to be seen whether Average Joes and Janes will be included in the 'wide range of Americans' given a chance to sound off.
On the plus side, axing this segment will leave more time for celebrity baby photos!
Link: Broadcasting & Cable