[See NewsBusters for more.] All three networks on Thursday hailed the life of “American icon” Hugh Hefner, honoring the “beautiful ending” for the pornographer. CBS also made sure to tout the “progressive politics” of the magazine and support for abortion. In total, ABC, CBS and NBC devoted 27 minutes and three seconds to cheering “one of the most influential figures in social history.” All three networks led with Hefner and covered the unfolding disaster in Puerto Rico second. Though some of the coverage called his legacy “controversial,” journalists focused mostly on critiques from the left. This included feminists such as Gloria Steinem rather than conservative fretting about Hefner’s contribution to moral decline. CBS This Morning featured Hollywood Reporter editor Matt Belloni to cheer Playboy: “They did a lot of articles that were very progressive in the politics. They were pro-choice at a time when many outlets were not openly so.”
