Once upon a time, journalism and the delivery of news was as sacred a trade as the practice of law or medicine. In 1949 the FCC introduced the fairness doctrine and for nearly 4 decades the American public trusted the news. In the 1960’s Walter Cronkite embodied the ideals of this doctrine: Present controversial issues of public importance in a way that was honest, equitable, and balanced. He was restrained, limited himself to the facts and he was trusted. 

The successful and hugely profitable 1968 launch of 60 Minutes on CBS proved that news could be serious and profitable. This was dangerous and the 1976 satire film ‘Network’ perfectly outlined the trajectory of news in America, maybe decades ahead of the practical decline. 

In 1980 CNN launched 24 hour news as a product and in 1987 the fairness doctrine was repealed. This paved the road for political talk radio, celebrity anchors, and the highly polarized and heavily opinionated news we have today. 

Opinions and commentary, masquerading as news, a 24 hour non-stop breaking news cycle and news as a for-profit product became standard. American addiction to hemorrhaging edge details and anyone who shouts my own opinion louder and more articulately than I am capable of is a recipe for corporations and influencers to capitalize and monetize. 

In a given week we have enough bombshell reports to fight an actual war. There’s a hoax around every corner. Everyone is an extremist or a radical. Language is weaponized against reason and free thought, and words meant to evoke emotion are so overused that they’re just part of the white noise. 

But my own opinion has no bearing on facts. I can agree or disagree with a politician, a court decision, a jury verdict. I can support or oppose a cause, protest or demonstration. But my opinion doesn’t change the basic facts. And that’s all we aim to convey here. 

No hot takes. No opinions. No breaking news. The Cold Take is an homage to the fairness doctrine and our goal is to deliver focused and factual news. We aim to tell you what happened and let you decide what you think and how you feel.