Check out Ted Turner's latest public statements on CNN as reported in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, including calling CNN "tabloid" and CNN and HLN's coverage "superfluous":
"I had no idea I would lose control of CNN when I merged with Time Warner," Turner said, adding that he could have retained control of the media company he had founded had it not been for the subsequent merger with America Online.
"It was a big mistake to lose control of CNN. I lost control over it, and I lost it a long time ago," Turner said. "And I apologize to everybody. I had a sacred trust there, and I let it get away. I was overconfident. I thought I had done such a good job there was no way they could phase me out."
Turner expressed great disappointment with the way news is presented today, with more focus on the "pervert of the day" than on the issues of the environment, nuclear threats and international affairs, which impact the entire world.
"CNN International still does that to a large degree," Turner said. "CNN here in the United States has gotten a lot more tabloid.
...Turner saved most of his criticism for the news industry, calling much of today's news "superfluous."
"We don't need that on CNN or Headline News," Turner said. "That's one of the main reasons I'm not standing for re-election to the Time Warner board. I just can't take it anymore. I would have a broken heart. And I refuse to let that happen."
