This mornings CNBC Highlight's headlines read like a parody of TV News from The Onion or Metro News One, the fictional network that figures in CBS sit-com "How I Met Your Mother."
First, there is the feature on how individuals are facing the recession. These thin portraits are the business journalism equivalent of asking the families of accident victims how they feel.
Then, is your Facebook account setting you up for burglary? That almost comically poorly researched story relies on research conducted by a third party that demonstrates how willing people are to "friend" strangers and then reveal their travel plans, theoretically making them vulnerable to burglary. Yes, this story included no actual anecdotes of anyone being burglarized because of Facebook. In fairness to CNBC, this was a pick-up of a Reuters article that ran without attribution.
What's the biggest risk of the UBS/U.S. cooperation to crackdown on Americans hiding assets in Switzerland? Your ex-wife may turn you in, according to CNBC (and every other major news source weeks ago). Well, that hits their audience demographic, I guess.
The Sports Business Report covers speculation that racecar driver Danica Patrick might pose nude for ESPN the magazine. The economics of sports in the U.S. is one of the most interesting stories developing now both in terms of its excess and the first-ever signs of a pullback in growth. Matthew Futterman of The Wall Street Journal and his colleagues turn out moving, insightful stories on nearly a daily basis. There is news here that people will watch - this kind of story just isn't necessary.
And finally, the personal finance report covers the comeback of layaway as a means to purchase big ticket items by folks who burned by the credit crunch. At least this article actually has examples of companies such as Sears relaunching layaway programs and identifies at least a couple of people who are doing it but overall the story feels like the last term paper due before Spring Break.
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