Approximately 31 were killed and 11 people missing in one of the most recent flood incident to hit the state of Texas and Oklahoma in May 2015 . As early as May 12 there had been reports of storm and tornados looming around the state of Texas and nearby community, alerting the people of the possible threat that was within their midst . Different media outfit covered the news beginning from warnings issued by the National Weather Service. The subject of interest had been drawn by the belief that what was building up during that time was to be considered as one of the most severe flooding of the last 10 years within the southern states of America. In fact, apart from generating a fraction of the audience share, majority of news and media outfits had launch a 24/7 surveillance of the situation hoping not only to generate a higher viewers’ rating but also to deliver the necessary information needed to ensure the safety of the people. Considering the plight of Texas prior to the catastrophe and given the media coverage that was sufficiently provided, the state and neighbouring communities had been able to avoid a much speculated casualty. Nevertheless, one media outfit has been able to standout amidst all the other reputable and big names in the news and media industry—CNN. It is the analysis of this paper that the Cable News Network, better known as CNN, gives the best media coverage of the news. This paper aims to substantiate this claim by offering arguments that would support the statement that CNN news media source gave the best coverage of the news amongst all who reported on the situation.
Discussion
A Claim of Credibility: An argument based on Ethos
Having dealt with the latest news, we may say for sure that CNN provided us the most distinct shots and interviews. CNN has been backed up with years of experience and they have been known to offer an unbiased opinion of an event or a situation. In this light, CNN definitely delivers which delivers credibility more than other news sources. The news stream here is full with different kinds of information from statistics to interweave, from videos and photos to the descriptions of disaster by common people. More rain is coming, with the National Weather Service noting a chance of storms for at least the next six days in Houston. Areas farther north, including Dallas, are expected to get 2 to 4 inches from Wednesday to Sunday. Moreover, parts of eastern Oklahoma will get drenched with 4 to 6 inches of rain. Most of the flood-hit Texas, where there are 12 dead. Another 14 people remain unaccounted. Among them are members of two families who were in the guesthouse, which is washed away by the flow of water in a small town on the banks of the River Wimberley Blanco. After the rains are flooded streets of Houston, Dallas and Austin. Houston damaged about four thousand houses. Tens of thousands of people were left without electricity. Meteorologists do not promise better weather in the coming days. (CNN)
Fox News informs about numerous deaths and missing people because of the Texas Floods. In addition to horrible deaths, there are huge number of damaged properties and abandoned vehicles. It is necessary to admit that water still goes up as about 11 inches of rain fell mostly during last six hours. The floodwaters covered almost every part of Houston and even paralyzed some areas. It is said that: “Storms dumped record rainfall on the Plains and Midwest, caused major flooding and spawned tornadoes”, that is a good explanation of the causes of flooding in Texas. As a result, the audience would have a good picture of everything that is happening right now in Texas. Most of the information given by Fox News concerning Texas Flooding is about numerous deaths cause by this disaster. Unfortunately, there are almost no interweaves with workers of emergency service or common people who have become volunteers. In addition, it would be better for the audience to have more visual information that makes the process of getting information a way easier.
New York Times speaks about the huge destruction caused by rain. In Houston, flooding killed at least four people. Unstoppable flow of water carried whole houses, devastated streets and created a whole cemetery of cars on the road. It is said that Texas is keep flooding and the cleanup continues as well as the search for bodies. In Houston, almost 1,000 of fans were allowed to stay in the Toyota Center after the game of Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. This place became a real emergency shelter for them and allowed them to stay safe while the storm passed. There is also an information about terrible death cases when a body of a man was founded in a towed vehicle or a man who had a heart attack while pushing his car out of floodwaters. In general, there are four deaths in Houston while flooding and tornadoes have killed seven people in Oklahoma. “Recovery teams continued searching Tuesday for 11 people” is said on the main page of the news. NY Times does well by informing people of cases of real human heroes who do not spare their lives in order to save another one. New York Times informs that there are some huge destructions in Houston. Parts of the whole town were simply paralyzed. Schools, offices and courthouses were either underwater or destroyed. It is said, that the city administration is thrilled of what is happening, especially the victims and the huge damage caused to the residents, as well as private and city property. Mayor of Houston pledged to take all necessary measures to save residents and eliminate blockages. (New York Times)
The headline of KCRA.com is “More storms brewing”. It is said that there are number of volunteers who do not spare their live in order to save people who got into the water and literally swept by tornado. KCRA makes emphasize on the victims and the biggest percent of information is dedicated to victims and rescue teams. Some eyewitnesses have been recently interviewed and their stories are frightening. There are still a lot of people simply missing. Moreover, the number of people who died under blockades is going up. Search groups spend hours and days watching for people who are trapped in the ruined houses or in the underwater spaces. It happened so that volunteers use so-called “nets” in order to get people out of the water. There are already a great number of tragedies and miracles. A man, whose name is Joe McComb finally got to dry land in about from 7 to 12 miles. When he was finally ashore the only thing he could speak about is his great strive to survive. Unfortunately, there are not many statistics about the damage and the forecast about future operations and actions dedicated to saving people and reconstructing damaged cities (KCRA).
US News one of the main news channels informs: “Flooding threatens North Texas homes”. You may easily track the way of spreading of flood and its devastating output. The newsfeed is being updated almost every 15 minutes. “Authorities say floodwaters from the swollen Brazos River are lapping at the foundations of 11 homes in a North Texas community west of Fort Worth.” Residents, whose homes were affected the most, were evacuated. To save their property - is not possible. Hundreds of cars are left to float on the roads. People move around the city by boat and canoe. US News is useful to track news in online but there are not enough interweaves or video materials (US News).
Feeling the message: A review of Pathos
CNN provided the best coverage of the news. The reader could easily track the way of flood spread. The information is given with all necessary statistics that was made not by official sources but only with a help of common witnesses. We should mention a big number of live interviews and video materials that confirm the statistics. Moreover, you can easily see by yourself the results of the flooding that is still on the run. It should be noted that the CNN skilfully uses its position of global media giant, which allows collecting the greatest audience. Next, we will discuss some definite features provided by CNN in order to make news much more available that makes a great opportunity over its competitors.
The audience of CNN is almost 300 million, but the real number of users is much bigger. Even in those countries where there is almost no possibility to keep in touch with worldwide news sources, mostly due to the limited opportunities in cable and satellite systems, CNN broadcast in government offices and ministries as well as in the hotels and the presidential residence. CNN is available in 42 offices all around the world. CNN can be obtained on a mobile phone, a personal laptop computer, pager, e-mail, you can order "news on demand ", that is a compilation of individual topics of interest to establish your personal version of CNN on the Internet. (Orlova V.V.)
Offering a Logical analysis of CNN’s approach to News Delivery: A Review of Logos
The principle of broadcasting CNN became a model for its followers: International news round the clock in real time with a huge number of reports from the very epicentre of events. Broadcast television news paradigm includes:
• 24-hour support;
• Emphasize on the work in real time based on the information agency: news headlines from the agenda;
• Exclusive coverage of major events, wherever and whenever they occurred;
• Holding videoconferences between the information centres of the world;
• Flexible programming broadcasting grid: any program at any time could be interrupted in order to show the block of breaking news;
• Feature to provide news from a different perspective.
It should be noted that doing a great job are special reporters going into the most dangerous in terms of flooding, allowing you to see a clearer picture of what is happening. Also plays an important role skilful presentation of information. Using brief but informative headlines and reliability of the information that is confirmed by video materials makes the viewer to feel on himself an event, in particular flooding. It should also be noted, that the newsfeed is regularly updated and supplemented with new facts and information. A certain event is covered in different angles and gets qualified versatility in the eyes of the viewer, which has a more objective examination of the material. One of the specific features of CNN is so called “breaking news”. The main characteristic of "breaking news", common to all genres of information, is the speed of information processing. The researchers also called precision, brevity and clarity in the supply of, among other characteristics of the information group of genres. It should be noted that "breaking news" (at least in the practice of channel CNN) does not always correspond exactly brevity and feed. (Orlova V.V.)
Conclusion
However, what makes CNN better than other news resources? Taking to consideration this particular story, we should admit some principle advantages. At first, there is a huge amount of information given for the audience. As written above we have different kinds of information from interweaves to video materials. At second, we can see that information is given in chronological order but also divided into paragraphs that represent some definite idea, whether it is and interweave with local authorities or statistics. Next, we should mention the style of headlines, which make it simpler for the reader to catch the main idea that is probably common for all news channels but made it here with more creativity. Another feature is the positive approach. Even though this particular story is about an awful disaster, there are many positive cases represented here, from incredible life rescues to examples of true human behaviour. So that, audience is not overloaded with terrible stories and statistics. In addition, it is important to mention the so called “life stream” or the latest news according to definite topic you are dealing with now. It is very convenient if would like to get all information at a time. The last but not the least is a forecast. CNN tries to predict and gather information about future works and plans. In that story we see interweaves of authorities speaking about rebuilding flooded areas and rescue teams making strategy of saving people. This is a good move to make particular story more valuable and interesting.
In conclusion, it is very important to admit with respect the huge work that all media sources have already done and are still doing. Being worried of this is already some help. Especially when it comes to help innocent people suffering from the horrors of nature. This situation is a clear example of the helplessness of humanity in front of element. Still, we have to stick together and resist any attack. If you are informed, than you are protected and that is incredibly important. Any information obtained from a reliable source may become a significant support in any situation. This approach of news media world that was described above can save more than one life.
Works Cited
Fernandez, Manny and Richard Perez-Pena. "Rain Spreads Destruction in Houston, Killing Four." 26 May 2015. The New York Times Website. Web. 2 June 2015.
Perera, John-Henry. "Flash flood warning issued for SE Texas counties." 12 May 2015. Houston Chronicle Website. Web. 2 June 2015.
The Associated Press. "U.S. Storms, Floods Kill 31 People, 27 of Them in Texas." 30 May 2015. The Wall Street Journal. Web. 1 June 2015.
Watkins, Tom and Lateef Mungin. "North Texas picks up the pieces after tornadoes kill 6." 16 May 2015. Cable News Network Website. Web. 2 June 2015.
