A round of applause for CNN Situation Room anchor Wolf Blitzer, who’s heading to the Republican and Democratic conventions with his admittedly “old school” approach of unbiased reporting.
“I’m trying to do traditional reporting, traditional journalism. It may be old school but I think it’s my responsibility to ask good tough questions of Democrats and Republicans,” he told Secrets.
Blitzer has covered every convention since 1996, and anchored them since 2000. “It’s always hard, it’s never easy, but it’s fun,” he said. This year he will be joined by a team of reporters and analysts and he promises lots of “bells and whistles” to wow viewers.
The conventions could be critical to CNN, which has suffered ratings shrinkage. It’s during major news events that the original cable news outfit grabs audiences and expands its reach.
“They are very important to CNN,” said Blitzer, now in his 23rd year at the network. “This is a huge moment, the convention, the debates, the election night, the inauguration. These are big times when people tune in and we will have a nice audience.”
And, he adds, viewers come to CNN’s coverage because it has the reputation for less screaming and more pure journalism. “When all is said and done it’s serious, important journalism,” he told Secrets. “I’m totally convinced that there are a lot of viewers out there who want to get the news in a responsible way without any partisan biases.”
Below is the news release from CNN about their coverage plans:
CNN will offer viewers nonstop, unbiased programming across on-air and digital platforms at the Republican and Democratic National Conventions beginning later this month. The network’s robust political team will travel to Tampa, Fla. and Charlotte, N.C. for live programming and events from locations on the convention floors, sky booths and a studio integrated into the CNN Grills.
CNN anchors Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Erin Burnett, Piers Morgan, Candy Crowley, Soledad O’Brien, John Berman, Brooke Baldwin and Suzanne Malveaux will be on the ground in Tampa and Charlotte during the Republican and Democratic parties’ respective conventions to provide comprehensive coverage. Special evening programming will kick off each week and will be followed by daily programs beginning at 5 a.m. and continuing through prime time and a midnight broadcast with Piers Morgan. Chief national correspondent John King will be on hand in both convention cities with Magic Wall technology, in addition to chief political analyst Gloria Borger and senior political analyst David Gergen.
“As the only cable news channel that has not picked sides in this election, CNN has a unique lens with which to cover these conventions,” said Sam Feist, CNN Washington bureau chief and senior vice president. “In Tampa and in Charlotte, we will give both parties an opportunity to showcase their platforms while also asking tough questions of Republicans and Democrats. Coverage of the conventions will dominate our air over two weeks as CNN’s deep bench of anchors, political reporters and analysts help Americans make an informed choice about their vote.”
A full breakdown of CNN’s programming over the course of the two convention weeks is below.
á Republican National Convention programming for the week of Aug. 26:
o Kicking off convention week on Sunday, Aug. 26, State of the Union with Candy Crowley will air live from Tampa at 9 a.m. Reliable Sources, hosted by Howard Kurtz, will air from Tampa 11 a.m.
o From 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26, America’s Choice 2012: Countdown to the Republican National Convention will air live from Tampa.
o Beginning Aug. 27, Early Start anchor John Berman will host the program live from the CNN Grill from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Co-anchor Zoraida Sambolin will be live from New York.
o Also live from the CNN Grill in Tampa, a special convention edition of Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien will air Monday, Aug. 27 through Thursday, Aug. 30. from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. On Friday, Aug. 31, the program will be live from a local diner.
o CNN Newsroom anchor Brooke Baldwin will anchor CNN Newsroom from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. each convention day.
o On each convention day, lead political anchor Wolf Blitzer will anchor The Situation Room from the convention floor beginning at 4 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 31, Blitzer will take his program to Charlotte, in advance of the Democratic National Convention.
o At 7p.m., CNN will begin prime time coverage from locations inside the convention hall. Anchors Anderson Cooper, Erin Burnett and Candy Crowley will join Blitzer to lead coverage alongside chief national correspondent John King at the “Magic Wall.” Chief political analyst Gloria Borger and senior political analyst David Gergen will be on hand during coverage throughout each evening.
o A special midnight edition of Piers Morgan Tonight will air live from the CNN Grill, where newsmakers and convention attendees will be gathered to enjoy lively political conversation while staying plugged into the goings on at the convention.
o Throughout the week senior congressional correspondent Dana Bash and national political correspondent Jim Acosta will provide coverage from the convention floor. Chief White House correspondent Jessica Yellin will also be on the ground in Tampa to provide coverage of the convention. Senior correspondent Joe Johns will be on hand to cover protesters and security at the convention. Correspondent Tom Foreman will execute fact checks and take the temperature of Florida voters participating in focus groups at the CNN Grill.
