Alisa Miller: The news about the news
How Does News Shape Our Perception of the World?
Overview of News Coverage by Country
- The presentation begins with a comparison between geographical landmass and news coverage, highlighting how American cable news shapes perceptions of global events.
- In February 2007, significant global events occurred, including North Korea's nuclear facility dismantling and flooding in Indonesia. However, the US accounted for 79% of total news coverage during this period.
- Notably, while Iraq received extensive coverage (the "big green thing"), countries like Russia, China, and India collectively garnered only 1% of the news attention.
Impact of Specific Stories on Coverage
- The death of Anna Nicole Smith was highlighted as a story that overshadowed international issues; it received ten times more coverage than the IPCC report on climate change.
- This trend continues with celebrity stories dominating headlines over critical global issues due to reduced foreign bureau presence among networks.
Decline in Global News Coverage
- The reduction in foreign bureaus has led to less international reporting; many regions such as Africa and South America lack network representation despite their large populations.
- Local TV news dedicates only 12% of its content to international stories. Popular web news sites also fail to provide substantial global coverage.
Recycling News Stories
- A study revealed that major online platforms often recycle stories from wire services like AP and Reuters rather than producing original content.
- This lack of context in reporting contributes to a general decline in awareness about world events among Americans compared to previous generations.
Public Interest in Global News