[derefr]

I guess the bit of cognitive dissonance is just coming from "local news stations" having megaconglomerate ownership at all. Of course CNN is going to have a policy for its reporters, but I'd be surprised to find out that my town-of-50k-people's nightly news is "part of" CNN and following their policies.

[Digory]

CNN is in the business of orchestrating local news, though the local station is arguably 'subscribing' to those stories/policies.

One of Conan's recurring bits is anchors reading prepackaged scripts.[0]. They're all packages by CNN for local affiliates,[1] one of several similar services (including Fox).

[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TM8L7bdwVaA

[1] http://thedesk.matthewkeys.net/2013/12/heres-how-conan-obrie...