CNN was founded in 1980 and was the first 24-hour cable news network in the US. It gained a reputation for providing live breaking news coverage of major events like the Challenger explosion, Gulf War, and 9/11 attacks. This "CNN Effect" influenced public opinion and government diplomacy. However, CNN's definition of "breaking news" has expanded and its exclusivity in live coverage has declined with new competitors. CNN faced criticism over its lack of on-the-ground coverage of the 2009 Iran elections and 2010 Gulf oil spill. Its iReport citizen journalism division now helps provide breaking news but CNN has seen ratings declines in recent years.

1. Past Successes and Failures of CNN: Breaking News and The CNN Effect Katt, Lauracindy, Shannon, & Stephen

2. Founded in 1980 by Ted Turner First all news network in US First 24 hour news network Shown in 212 countries Shown in 100 million US Households Brief History

3. Reputation The place to turn for breaking news, 24 hours a day during times of crisis Challenger Explosion 1986 Gulf War 1991 September 11, 2001

4. The 24-Hour News Cycle and the effect Government understood connecting with the media and having a media strategy, for the first time CNN Effect is the role that non-stop coverage can have in international diplomacy Real-time updates in TV broadcast can sway public opinion and facilitate communication of government operations.

5. Who is CNN? This is an identity which they formed for themselves, but is it enough to survive? Positives: At first it was the ONLY place to turn for IMMEDIATE coverage (but now there are competitors). Negatives: Meaning of “breaking news” has changed over the years and is now a bit of a cliché/overused…not EVERYTHING is worthy of being “breaking news.”

6. Gulf War Iraq invade Kuwait (August 2, 1990): BUCHANAN: In other words, you think he'd be mixing it up with the United States militarily if he did that? Mr. ULLMAN: Well, he could be mixing up with a lot of people. I mean, don't forget, you've got- you've got Syria, with 400,000 people, on his border; you've got Iran still with a large standing army; you've got a Soviet Union who might take some sort of action; and, last and most importantly, you've go the United States, and I think that while we couldn't mount a response overnight, in two months or three months or four months, I think that we could deal with an Iraqi attack on Saudi Arabia. Start of Desert Storm

7. Live, sensationalized coverage, but CNN DID live up to their reputation of being on the scene and bringing live coverage. Live Coverage Shock and Awe

8. # fail Iran Elections 2009 Did not live up to their reputation for being on the scene for important international events No breaking coverage of Iran elections

9. Gulf Oil Spill DON: CNN's David Mattingly is in Bayou La Batre, Alabama where a lot of fishermen could be facing the end of their livelihoods right now. Hello David. what tomorrow is going to hold. DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Don. That's exactly right. They don't know how bad this is going to be in the future. For right now, they know that their season is over their livelihoods are stopped as of this moment. Right now, we're looking at entire towns who depend on fishing for their economy, wondering New Breaking Developments Tried to question authority

10. Breaking News in Japan Are both of these REALLY breaking news?

11. iReport Controversial, unedited division of CNN, which really allows them to be anywhere, at anytime. This is how they have “breaking news” now, such as in Egypt, etc.

12. Ratings Decline "CNN, which is in a period of extreme transition, had yet another month of bad ratings news. The channel had its lowest prime time viewership since 2000, averaging just 486,000 total viewers, with 144,000 in the A25-54 demo."