Bigger isn't always better

Last night I was having a discussion with a close friend of mine. He was congratulate me on my Aguiar story. He then proceeded to tell me that he doesn't ever believe what he reads in newspapers. He said that most stories are propaganda and rarely contain any truth.

One paper he attacked was the New York Times. He said the paper is nothing more that political propaganda and isn't worth anything. I disagreed with him and told him that there are some good stories that do come out of the Times.

He then mentioned to me that some smaller metro-papers do a better job at reporting. I started to think about that. And he is right.

Look at smaller papers like the Virginian Pilot. That paper works really hard to present a balanced truth, yet it doesn't have the circulation of the times.

I think that is why they work so hard. They try to give their readers something they can hold on to, and that makes them great papers. I guess bigger isn't always better.

Couric to move to CBS

Lately, one of the biggest stories in media is whether Katie Couric will move to CBS when her NBC contract ends in May. Couric has been recruited by CBS for nearly a year to replace Dan Rather as the nightly news anchor.

Many in the media believe that Couric will take the position and give up her co-anchor sport on NBC's morning show.

I have always admired Katie Couric and her work as a journalist. She is very diligent and knows how to ask the tough questions. But her move upsets me.

NBC has been very loyal to Couric and is partly responsible for her becoming the superstar journalist that she is. Why would she leave the network that has given her so much?

There are many reasons probably, like money and higher status position. I refuse to believe that Katie Couric, of all journalists, could be bought out, but I am afraid that is what happening.

This is just a reminder that journalism isn't always about reporting the news. It can be a ruthless, selfish business that anyone can get caught up in.

But the nightly anchor position is "ideal" job in broadcast journalism and I can see how Couric would jump at the opportunity. And NBC will probably not be hiring a new night anchor since Brian Williams replaced Tom Brokaw last year and will most likely be in that position for several more years.

I would like to see Couric stay at NBC but I think the money and position will win her over.