Greetings,
We are a month away from launching our new season of programs and that seems like a good time to begin our conversation with you about what we are doing, why we are doing it and our own sense of what journalism in these times can be about.
With a month to go, the WIDE ANGLE staff is incredibly busy working with our filmmakers around the world to shape the pieces and get them ready for air. I am grateful for their experience and calm. As there is much work to do. It is not enough to simply present a program on Darfur or a program on the changing nature of the military in Japan or our own work on the sad and difficult Iraqi refugee problem in the Middle East. Our mission isn’t simply to make and support films on these issues.
What we must do and are doing is to make and shape films that look at these complicated issues in a compelling way. That requires not simply good journalism but good story telling – story telling with strong and compelling central characters that draw you into the journey we take each week. This is the essential difference between what I call “Eat Your Vegetables” journalism and work that you will not only watch but look forward to watching each week. In truth, the filmmakers and the WIDE ANGLE staff are far more experienced in the art of long form journalism than am I. So, I find myself helping some and learning a lot.
I come to this as a great believer in the mission and a great believer in you. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to engage in the kind of journalism that drew me to the craft a very long time ago. Modern media, with the pressures of minute-by-minute ratings, doesn’t always make that easy. A trip down Paris Hilton Lane is often easier and cheaper than a trip through the hospitals and culture of Mozambique. But you are a demanding bunch. You expect us to do work that is both important and compelling, and you should know how strongly all of us feel about delivering on that expectation. We are also sure you will tell us when we hit the mark and be just as vocal should we miss it.
That part of the season need not wait until we launch. We can begin now with a discussion of what you expect from us, from PBS and from the journalism you consume. I can’t promise we will answer each note we receive, but we will read them all and respond to as many as we can.
Finally, for some of you I am an old face in a new spot, for others I am just a refugee from cable news. To the first group, it will be so nice to work in front of you again. For that second group, I am eager to prove my chops. I trust you will not be bashful in your criticisms and – I hope – compliments.
Let the conversation begin!
Aaron Brown
New York
May 29, 2008
(8 votes)
Loading ...
So happy you’re back into the broadcast world, Aaron!
I will be watching each program with great expectations for your usual high quality journalism.
I am soooooo glad you’re back. Missed you lo these two years.
I too am thrilled to have you back. You were a staple of my evenings with my father on the couch during my high school years, and now as an adult (well, 22) myself, I can’t wait to have your commentary a part of my day again.
Thank you.
Thank you, Aaron! And welcome back. Watching your Wide Angle debut tonight, I havent smiled so hard to see someone in Lord knows how long. It’s like seeing an old friend again. :) Best of luck! Carmine (from NYC).
Welcome back, Aaron. You have been greatly MISSED! Thank you for meaningful television news for all of us. Weekly will be great but could there be something more frequently?
We sure missed you! Glad you’re back! We look forward to watching you…yikes!! :-)
Aaron – We are so pleased to have you back on the television journalism scene after a long absence. We hoped your departure was for a short duration, and are heartened you have returned.
Aaron-I remember feeling you were trying to convey facts, when they were in short supply. I hope you continue to pursue truth in your endeavors.
Aaron: You helped me get and so many get through September 11 and I have sorely missed you. Can’t wait to see you again on the air!
I’m glad to see Aaron Brown back on TV, especially PBS. I remember the last anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech before Mr. Brown left CNN. He ran the WHOLE SPEECH. It was a powerful experience. Before then, I had only heard famous snippets of the speech (although I had read the whole thing in school). Thanks, and welcome to PBS!
I was soooooooo thrilled to see that you’re now on PBS and have returned to provide excellent journalism. Thank you! And thank you, PBS.
Dear Aaron,
I wrote a very disappointed, if not angry, email to CNN when you were replaced — things haven’t been the same. Obviously, I am not the only person who has been waiting to see where you would land. Your journalistic talent, your insight, your wry sense of humor, your incisive way of cutting to the chase — we’ve missed you. Can’t wait to see you on PBS — perhaps there is hope for the world. Thank you, and thank you again, to PBS.
welcome back mr.Brown
so far j saw amazing presentations!Specially j can’t find words to describe my admiration for Emilia and all of them, their courage and willing!J am italian from Emilia Romagna region and j found out Wide Angle why j tuned you since Cnn’ News Night. Now j am so happy to see you again so warm, meaningfull, sensitive with sense of humor!thank you for your job. ps. sorry for my poor english
A pleasure to find so many devotees of Aaron sharing our thoughts. Barb prodded me to write several notes to CNN about missing you and the circumstances.
Their non-responses were deafening.
We found the ’surge’ of 360 deploring; our comparisons
with replacements made our missing you more intensive.
We wish you, no, we know your new stop is the right bus for you. God speed.
We can’t wait to see you tonight on PBS. Can’t tell you how much you’ve been missed!
I love pbs and sometimes I am fortunate enough to catch wide-angle which I did today. Aaron was interviewing Gov from Iowa. Global warming was discussed. Excellent piece. I wish Aaron would have scientist Robert Zubrin on his show. His solution(s) is very compelling but hardly anyone knows him. Thanks for the fine work.
Dear Mr. Brown: So glad to see you back on TV (great “win” PBS!) and teaching at a PAC-10 university. I watched you when you were at KIRO-TV and KING-TV in Seattle and am a Washington State University graduate. It’s timely to have intelligent TV again. We need more journalists like Ted Koppel and yourself. Best wishes in your new endeavor.
Thrilled to find you again!!! We missed the real voice of journalism we had only so recently found on 9/11. Along with so many others above, we found the “drek and dredge” of the remaining nighly news shows unwatchable. We are looking forward to “softly contemplating” with you once again! Bravo to PBS!
Mr. Brown,
You have been so missed! They swooped down and made you disappear without warning, and none of the recognition you truly deserved. Always the perfect gentleman and oh so classy. I have never felt the same about your former home. Their loss and PBS’ good fortune.
Welcome back into my world. The show lived up to what I had become accustom to from you!
Respectfully,
Ms. Terry Pennisi
Dear Aaron, I just read an article about you, so happy to find you. again, don’t leave us, you are without a doubt, the finest “news man”of them all.I remember you “way”back ,ABC ,in the wee morning hours,informal, and the great intelligence plus that charm, was in force plus humor and had hoped you would stick with ABC. I wrote many letters to them,I Saw your first CNN appearance ,you and Paula Zahn over looking the tragic scene, as it unfolded, you handled it all superbly as you always have, You also rose above the “deal, CNN dealt you, to this day, I cannotwatch Cnn. Please someone hang on to this man, you have only to watch TV to see what goes forMedia coverage these days, We are not going to let you get away from us this time.Maribel Chalmers
So Glad you are back Aaron, have missed you. PBS is a wonderful place to be. Betty
I am thrilled about this program. This is something very much missing in new reporting today….in depth coverage of global topics/stories. Thank you! Aaron Brown is the perfect host for this program. Thanks PBS!
Wow!!! What a great day when we saw Aaron Brown doing what he does best. PBS what a deal..CNN shame on you!.A trusted voice returns. Thank you!!!
Dear Aaron: I am one of those who stopped watching CNN when your show acquired an additional host. No reflection on him – he’s a fine reporter – but the program lost that combination of intimacy and directness thst is your particular gift. A while after I abandoned cable news, I learned of your ouster and began googling you every now and then. So happy to have found you at last. Loved the China piece. I hope you are enjoying your new environment.
I, like so many others, have been waiting for your reappearance. So glad you are back. I was so pissed off when cnn replaced you, as a matter of principle I just don’t watch Cooper; he’s just straight ahead, down the line reporting, with no irony, no wry undertones.
As I recall my McCluhan, your style is medium cool, whereas what this world is about today, is hot. Well, there are still some of us who appreciate cool. So glad you are back.
Aaron–
Not that there is not plenty to cover out there, but check out Pacifica’s Democracy Now with Amy Goodman for today, August 19, 2008, and her story on the mistreatment (I am talking deaths here) of people detained and held by ICE, and the refusal of its staff to provide medical care to suffering people in their care.
I am delighted to see Aaron Brown back. He was great then and he is great now. The show was terrific and we will watch Wide Angle again. Good for KCET!
I can’t tell you how happy was I was “find” Aaron Brown again! What a huge gain for PBS – please hang on to him. I look forward to many more Wide Angle programs done with his usual great skill and sensitivity.
I was thrilled to tune in to Wide-Angle a few weeks ago and see Aaron Brown alive and well! I was so upset when he “disappeared” from tv during the Sept 11 time. PBS – you have impecable taste!!
TV is worth watching again, now I’ve found Aaron Brown! I’ve missed him so much. His shoes were too large to fill by 360. It was awful ,losing Peter Jennings then Aaron disappearing from Cnn.However, please PBS keep him. The show on Iraqi Refugees was the best reporting I’ve seen on that awful war.It made it real for me.Cheers Aaron ,you’ve made this Canuck happy.
I am so happy that you have a venue to continue to report as you have done since a young man! I watched this Tuesday evening and I am glad that you told us this story. I hope that the power that be were watching,,at least the ones who have influence in America. I am so glad you are back. I have missed you very much! Thank you and thanks to PBS for giving you your voice again.
I am looking forward to Tues. 9/10/2008 for another Wide Angle. I’m so glad PBS advertised your being on PBS…otherwise I would not have known it.
Finally! Looks i’ve almost found
Aaron Brown…..but where and when can I find Wide Angle (I’m in Toronto on Rogers cable)???
Dear Aaron – I’m not much of a TV watcher. However, I’m a Unitarian Universalist from Knoxville, TN, and the woman who was killed in the Knoxville TN church shooting was my friend. So I decided to watch Bill Moyer’s Journal last evening when he discussed the church shooting. That is when I found out you were back on TV! I am so DELIGHTED. I grew up in Newburgh, NY and always enjoyed it when you were on CNN and read the newspapers, especially The Record – from Middletown NY which covered news from my hometown. I have sorely missed you and your superb form of journalism. THANK YOU for coming back and THANK YOU to PBS!
Mr. Brown — I add the voice of ‘this 73 yr. old gal from British Columbia, Canada’…. to those have all expressed my thoughts — about our joy to see you back on PBS Wide Angle.
I’ve just beem searching on PBS’s website trying to locate the WIDE ANGLE schedule for the coming season.
Hopefully, someone will be able to answer – and look forward very much to your help.
This old gal from Canada says ‘YIPPEE YOU’RE BACK’
:) Ms. A. Campbell
Hello again… I would like to know when Aaron Brown will be on PBS with WIDE ANGLE ??? I would very much appreciate knowing the ’schedule’.
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Ms. A. Campbell
Hello, Is this show still on the air and if so, what PBS channel can I find it on ? I live in CT so my PBS station is CPTV. I’ve been looking for Aaron Brown since he left CNN some years back. Thank you.
Hi Mary — Wide Angle will be on the air from July through September. Until then, you can watch past episodes of Wide Angle and the online-exclusive series Focal Point here on the Wide Angle website.
Dear Aaron,I just heard your interview with Michael Smerconish about Wide Angle and the show on North Korea scheduled for tomorrow. I am so glad to see that there is still investigative reporting going on in journalism.It sounds facinating and I can’t wait to see the show. Notice that although most in the West have no idea, the basic story is an old one from those who have fled other communist countries(from The Killing Fields to Eleni) Thank you for highlighting their plight and courage.
We just saw Crossing Heaven’s Border. It was very moving. Did not realize that Aaron Brown was the host. It’s nice to see him again. We watched him every evening on CNN and we sure missed him when he left.
After watching Wide Angle last night I wanted to write Aaron Brown to say welcome back and thank you for such beautiful programs.PBS is lucky to have you and you have been sorely missed. I wish to add my Amen! to every one of the forty comments I’ve just read. Have beenwatching you since your first gig on KINGTV when I lived in Ballard. You were a breath of fresh air then and you are a breath of fresh air now.
Great to see you on the air again, forget your former employer. I have.
Best wishes and God bless you,
Jurema Butler
Jurema Butler