Ted Turner, founder of CNN and one of the biggest names for global media industry, don die at the age of 87, as tributes continue to pour in for the man wey revolutionise 24-hour television news broadcasting across the world.
CNN confirm the death of the veteran media mogul, wey launch Cable News Network in 1980 and permanently change the way people dey consume breaking news worldwide.
Turner become famous for introducing nonstop news coverage, making CNN the first dedicated 24-hour news television station for the world.
Meanwhile, former US President, Donald Trump, describe Turner as one of the greatest figures in broadcast history and praise am for always standing for causes wey he believe in.
Current CNN Chairman and CEO, Mark Thompson, also honour Turner legacy, describing am as the foundation upon which CNN stand today.
According to Thompson, Turner na fearless leader wey always trust him instincts and remain deeply committed to journalism and innovation.
“He always go remain the spirit behind CNN,” Thompson talk.
Although CNN faced serious criticism and doubts when e first start, many people initially mock the station and nickname am “Chicken Noodle Network” because dem no believe say 24-hour news fit survive.
However, the station later prove critics wrong through fast and continuous coverage of major global events including the assassination attempt on former US President Ronald Reagan in 1981 and the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986.
CNN later gain global respect during the 1990-1991 Gulf War after the network broadcast live updates directly from Iraq, changing international television journalism forever.
Former US President George H. W. Bush once reportedly say he learned more from CNN coverage than from intelligence briefings.
One of CNN founding team members, Mary Alice Williams, describe Turner as bold and fearless visionary wey believe television fit unite the world.
She explain say Turner dream na to create one network wey go help people across different countries understand one another better and possibly encourage peace globally.
Apart from CNN, Turner also build massive media empire through Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), after taking over him family billboard business following the death of him father.
Within few years, him broadcasting empire grow into one of the biggest media organisations for the United States.
Turner also become known for him outspoken personality and unusual lifestyle, earning nicknames like “Captain Outrageous” and “Mouth of the South.”
Reports say he even lived inside CNN headquarters for some years and regularly walked around the newsroom in bathrobe while discussing news events with journalists.
CNN success later inspire the creation of other global television news channels including Fox News, launched in 1996 by media rival Rupert Murdoch.
Ted Turner legacy, however, remains deeply connected to the transformation of modern television journalism and the rise of round-the-clock global news coverage.
