CNN effect

proper noun

The theorized negative effect on the economy, and other aspects of social life, caused by people staying home to watch television news during a crisis such as a war.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. economicsThe theorized negative effect on the economy, and other aspects of social life, caused by people staying home to watch television news during a crisis such as a war.

    In the 21st century, the "CNN effect" has been replaced by the Twitter effect.

    2014 June 3, Suzanne Franks, “#BringBackOurGirls: the verdict”, in The Guardian
    4 more examples

    Concern about flying anywhere is the reason most often given for canceling trips. But some people say they are staying home for other reasons as well. Some potential travelers are riveted to their television sets, captivated by the constant news reports about the war, a condition that some people are calling the “CNN effect.”

    2003 January 28, Eben Shapiro, “Fear of terrorism is curbing travel”, in The New York Times

    “We could see some more profit taking as retailers release somewhat tepid results, since the quarter included bad winter weather and the CNN effect,” said Tim Ghriskey of Ghriskey Capital Partners, a money manager in Bedford Hills, N.Y.

    2003 May 19, “Leading Indicators Index to Be Posted”, in Los Angeles Times

    Uncertainty over the outcome in Iraq and the so-called CNN effect, which had folks glued to the TV for news, made for an unusually quiet spring for summer vacation rental agents.

    2003 May 25, Chris Reidy, “Rentals off to a slow start”, in The Boston Globe

    Oliver Chen, a retail analyst at Cowen, warned of what he called a “CNN effect” of consumers becoming more frugal with holiday purchases, and devoting more attention to news watching.

    2015 November 17, Hiroko Tabuchi, “Strong Sales at Walmart, Home Depot and TJX”, in New York Times

Origin

Coined during the first Gulf War when unusually large numbers of people were watching the CNN network news, which provided 24-hour coverage of the war.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

CNN effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/CNN%20effect

MLA

“CNN effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/CNN%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “CNN effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/CNN%20effect.

Source: CNN effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.