Tech Blog #8: What Made CNN a Global Reputation?

Everyone knows about CNN. But what made CNN so famous in the world? Someone maybe knows it is the first Gulf War! Definitely, during the initial hours of the Coalition bombing campaign in 1991, CNN became the only news outlet with the ability to communicate from inside Iraq, with live reports. At that time the bombing destroyed all of the usual communication channels including military ones. No wonder even President George H. W. Bush said he depended on CNN's news to decide what was the next step would be during the media interviews.

But why it is CNN instead of other media who can control the exclusive news source? It is the power of Satellite-fed communication! CNN just rented several Satellite Phones for its 24-hour live news broadcast. When this advanced and military-focused technology was applied for journalism, all the news became real-time. Besides, other media also depended on CNN’s source to cover stories about the Gulf War.

Even nowadays, satellite-fed technology is still the key or exclusive communication channel in disasters. Take an example for Sichuan Earthquake in 2008. Earthquake could easily destroy the cell phone and Internet communication except for Satellite-fed communication. The live TV news host utilized satellite phones to interview with the onsite reporters about the latest information.

From this point of view, it is not the news content but the amazing communication technology made media success!