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Couric in Iraq: Lousy Ratings, Good Journalism

Despite anchor's road trip, 'Evening News' ties record ratings low

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 12, 2007 6:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – Katie Couric's trip to Iraq and Syria was a failure as a ratings gimmick but pretty good journalism, say critics. The "CBS Evening News" tied a record low of 5.5 million viewers last week, which the network blames on US Open coverage. And Harvard journalism prof Marvin Kalb says the broadcasts were well-done and informative, the AP reports.

"She deserves an honest reappraisal," says Kalb, a longtime CBS reporter. "Whether that will be given to her, who knows. But it's deserved." CBS News president Sean McManus says the trip was all about the journalism: "We all thought she would go over there and do a good job and she did."

Television host Katie Couric watches the Carmen Marc Valvo  fashion show in New York, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2005. Couric plans to leave Wednesday Aug. 29, 2007 for an ambitious reporting trip to Iraq and Syria _ the CBS anchor's first time in the war zone _ in anticipation of a...
Television host Katie Couric watches the Carmen Marc Valvo fashion show in New York, Wednesday Sept. 14, 2005. Couric plans to leave Wednesday Aug. 29, 2007 for an ambitious reporting trip to Iraq and...   (Associated Press)
Crocker and Petraeus Prepare For Report On Iraq Surge
Crocker and Petraeus Prepare For Report On Iraq Surge   (Getty Images)
New York Women In Film & Television's 26th Annual Muse Awards
New York Women In Film & Television's 26th Annual Muse Awards   (Getty Images (by Event))
CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, second left, poses for a photo with Marine Lance Cpl. James Cline, from Asheville, N.C., left, and Sgt. Mary Alice Leone, from East Boston, Mass., as she waits for President Bush's statement at Al-Asad Airbase in Anbar province, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 3, 2007....
CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, second left, poses for a photo with Marine Lance Cpl. James Cline, from Asheville, N.C., left, and Sgt. Mary Alice Leone, from East Boston, Mass., as she waits for...   (Associated Press)
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