Forty Five years ago, on June 1, 1980, was the birth of cable news, with the debut of CNN (Cable News Network) by Billionaire Ted Turner, a revolution in the covering of news domestically and around the world.
CNN was without competition until 1996, when MSNBC and Fox News Channel were created as competitors.
Now, there are many more cable and online news channels, but CNN, even with criticisms and blunders that have occurred over the four and a half decades, still stands out as one of the premier news organizations, alongside the NY Times, Washington Post, Public Broadcasting System (PBS), Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal.
CNN had a slow start and beginning, with the occurrence of the Persian Gulf War in early 1991 the turning point of it becoming massive in its evolution.
Many different personalities, with many controversies over coverage of different issues included, just added to the color and impact of CNN.
Despite recognized shortcomings, as with any institution, the nation and the world have benefited greatly from this great institution that continues to challenge powerful people in many areas of public life, domestic and foreign.
It has opened up the eyes and minds of hundreds of millions of people worldwide.