Brian Stelter’s Sunday morning show on CNN, “Reliable Sources,” has been a favorite of mine. In fact, I often encourage my University of Phoenix students to check it out. But sadly last Sunday marked its last show. Why?

Seeking more neutrality

Apparently the show, which had run for 30 years, was seen as too opinionated. And CNN’s new upper management didn’t feel a show focusing on the media would attract enough viewers. But it did attract a loyal viewership among all demographics. It was supposed to be opinionated. And it was much needed. It served as the watchdog of the watchdogs. It looked into what was behind certain stories and criticized the media when it seemed appropriate. As Carl Bernstein said on the show Sunday, several times, “The truth is not neutral.”

Attracted a wide audience

The network apparently is seeking a show to appeal to a broader audience than one focused on the media. But don’t we need this?  Stelter and his guests on the final show made a solid case for its existence.

The show drew an average of 769,000 total viewers and 105,000 in adults 25-54, according to Nielsen. This was an increase in the show’s numbers from the previous week. This made it the most watched show on CNN on Sunday, according to Nielsen.

Shows where everyone can be heard

Sunday’s final show also featured some discussion of the direction of CNN under new corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery. There was some praise for pivoting CNN away from a partisan tilt,  with Discovery’s David Zaslav saying that the country “needs a news network where everybody can come and be heard; Republicans, Democrats.”

Are we sure about that?

Yes, we want balanced reporting no matter the network. But don’t we need someone to call out inaccuracies and outright lies? Don’t we need someone to examine the media as the media examines the pillars of the country? We want the news to be fair, as Bernstein said Sunday. And we seek balance. But lies must be called out for what they are.

What about those liars?

“It is not partisan to stand up for decency and democracy and dialogue,” Stelter said in his final monologue. (He said this dialogue was unvetted by CNN management. “It is not partisan to stand up to demagogues – it’s required, it’s patriotic.”

He added: “We must make sure we do not give a platform to those who are lying to our faces.”