Media's Sensational Coverage Downplays Important Issues

We went from 24 hours of the Minneapolis bridge disaster to the Utah mine tragedy. Now we hear very little about Minnesota. Yesterday the media's obsession with overkill when it comes to disasters went to new absurd levels. The mine owner was covered live while he carried on with commercial about his accomplishments as a businessman. At several points Matt Lauer had to interrupt the live coverage in disgust. It was the same on the other 24 hour channels. The press feels a need to beat a sensational story or person with obscene coverage. The more video or pictures the better. We were subjected to outrageous coverage of a former strippers death a few months ago. Her only accomplishment in life was looking like Marilyn Monroe. Then there was the jailing of another celebutante that required unprecedennted coverage.

The justification for over the top coverage is the argument that this what the people want. It isn't about what people want. It has to do with what sells. Sensational videos and gossip are what sells the best. In the process these types of stories or events get overwhelming coverage. Important news is ignored or under reported. We don't hear too much about the genocide in Darfur. Or the current tragedy in South East Asia in where over 1,000 people died receives minimal mention.

Even worse is how political debate is determined by media coverage. The Minneapolis bridge tragedy led to debate about how poor our infrastructure in America is. It was an issue ignored (although its been a serious problem for decades) until 1 week ago. Now lets see how often its discussed by the presidential candidates now the bridge collapse is no longer being covered by the press.