My apologies for the length.
I would like to see fewer editorial reports.
There was a time when only a handful of the news staff were allowed to editorialize. The past fifteen years at least, virtually every news reader has been reporting the news with his or her opinion mixed into the story. Frankly, that's wrong.
They called them reporters because they gathered and reported the news, not personal opinion. They used to be disciplined for allowing personal feelings to find their way into stories. These people operate separately from editorial, op-ed, or point-counterpoint style shows. Like Joe Friday used to say, "Just the facts, ma'am."
There were exceptions - primarily human interest stories. - but personal interpretations of the news were out of bounds to the majority.
This principle is still taught in journalism schools, but the grads quickly forget the basic rules when they land their first full time job. Here is a short quote.
"One of the first lessons journalism students learn is that their reports should never include their personal opinion. A news reporter should be an impartial observer and should maintain a distance from the facts and emotion that are being presented.
That is largely true. However, here are instances when reporters can become personally involved in a story. It humanizes the reporter and shows a level of care and compassion."
https://www.thebalance.com/should-you-include-your-opinion-when-reporting-the-news-2315169
In the past, editorials were broadcast after the news reporting was done. There weren't many purely editorial shows. I suspect that was because this kind of broadcast demands a responsible, cool head. Most were broadcast on the weekend when people were home from work, but that was not a necessity. Regardless, all were hosted by senior staffers who offered interpretation and analysis. Their opinions were supported by guests - experts in their various fields.
These senior people rarely flew off the handle, insulted anyone, or offered ill informed opinions about subjects which they had no special knowledge. That was for the guests, with the staff member asking questions.
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When I look at CNN for example, I hear Jake Tapper, Anderson Cooper, Chris Cuomo, John King, Don Lemon, Jim Sciuto, Erin Burnett, and dozens of others rendering opinions on everything from alimony to zoology. The biggest pool of "expert political analysts" in one place. Most of the above mentioned people should be putting questions to the experts and keep their feelings out of it. CNN reminds me of a high school cafeteria. Everyone wants to tell you their opinion, but few have any credentials to render an informed one.
There was a time when someone like Walter Cronkite for example, could ask hard, probing questions without using harsh language, insults or accusations. They were talented interviewers who got to that level after years of working in the trenches. It seems to be almost a lost art.
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