For two decades -- until his retirement in 2001 -- Bernard Shaw was the front-and-center face of CNN.
As one of its original anchors, the Chicago native set the tone for serious, insightful journalism on television's first 24-hour cable news operation.
So it pains him deeply to see what has become of the proud brand he helped create.
Asked what he now thinks of CNN, Shaw told WTTW-Channel 11's John Callaway: "I try not to. I'm very, very disappointed with the way the news management at my favorite network has gone. CNN has fine women and men working there. Lou Dobbs, one of the leaders there.
"Unfortunately, Fox News is the ratings leader . . . on the cable side of the business, and what Fox puts on the air is not news."
What Fox does, he said, is "commentary, personal analysis."
Calling himself "very straitlaced [and] very old-fashioned," Shaw said: "When anchors are reporting the news, they should report the news and allow the viewers at home to decide what they think about issues.
"I don't want to hear an anchor's personal opinion about anything. Just report the news.
"But CNN continues to ape many of the on-air mannerisms of the Fox News Network, and I don't like that," he said.
Shaw was in Chicago last week to help his University of Illinois alma mater kick off a $2.25 billion fund-raising campaign. He was interviewed by Callaway on Channel 11's "Friday Night."
DIALING : OPENING AT 'NINE FM'
• Joey Fortman has resigned after three years as morning personality at "Nine FM," the Newsweb Radio combo of WDEK-FM (92.5), WKIE-FM (92.7) and WRZA-FM (99.9).
She's moving to Philadelphia with her husband, Matt Nahigian, who was named program director of WPEN-AM. He had been program director of Sporting News Radio, formerly based in north suburban Northbrook.
No date has been set for Fortman's last broadcast here. Station bosses say they're looking at options for the morning show.
• Kenard "K2" Karter, production assistant and weekend personality at WGCI-FM (107.5), has been promoted to music director at the Clear Channel Radio urban-contemporary station. He succeeds Tiffany Green, who left last February.
"I come from very humble beginnings and feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity to work alongside [program director] Kris Kelley," Karter said.
A Chicago native and graduate of Illinois State University, Karter will continue on the air from 2 to 6 a.m. Sunday.
• Donnie "The Freakin' Puerto Rican" Devoe, afternoon host at Crawford Broadcasting's urban contemporary WPWX-FM (92.3), faces disorderly conduct charges after an incident last week at a south suburban Calumet City restaurant.
Devoe, whose real name is Miguel Garcia, allegedly threatened patrons at a Pepe's Mexican Restaurant.
TRACKING: 'STOP THE VIOLENCE'
• News anchors Ron Magers and Cheryl Burton will moderate a panel discussion about violence against children in Chicago at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday on ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7.
"Stop the Violence: A Search for Solutions" will feature a dialogue among community leaders, law enforcement officials and victims' families. The half-hour special will air without commercials.
• The plight of former Chicago news anchor and reporter Mary Nissenson is featured in a new documentary by filmmaker Darryl Roberts. "America the Beautiful," which focuses on the country's obsession with beauty, in part recounts Nissenson's botched cosmetic surgery in 1995.
As a result of her face-lift and brow lift, she suffered permanent nerve damage and has been unable to work outside her home because of severe pain.
Nissenson is expected to make a rare public appearance when Roberts' documentary is screened June 16 at the Maui Film Festival in Hawaii.
