The Sad State of Global Media
At 8:35 pm on Friday night, March 25, 2005, this is how Google News summarized the collective news judgement of 4,500 news sources in America:
"Schiavo's Parents Press On" (all 5,839 related>>)
"Bush Agress to Sell F-16s to Pakistan" (all 472 related>>)
"US Pushes for Firmer, Faster Action on Darfur Crisis (all 364 related>>)
"Attacks Claim 15 as Iraq Insurgents Strike Back" (all 222 related>>)
"Carter to Head Commission Examining US Electoral System" (all 41 related>>)
Now, I have no beef with journalists who criticize the Google News crawler, but let's face it: This is a pretty startling example of what choices today's editors are making. And it's no surprise, then, that politicians rush to things like the Schiavo case, knowing they'll get huge coverage of their absurd, politically-motivated pronouncements.
After reviewing this list of news coverage, and reflecting on the news judgement it suggests, I feel the need to take a cleansing shower. Yuck.
"Schiavo's Parents Press On" (all 5,839 related>>)
"Bush Agress to Sell F-16s to Pakistan" (all 472 related>>)
"US Pushes for Firmer, Faster Action on Darfur Crisis (all 364 related>>)
"Attacks Claim 15 as Iraq Insurgents Strike Back" (all 222 related>>)
"Carter to Head Commission Examining US Electoral System" (all 41 related>>)
Now, I have no beef with journalists who criticize the Google News crawler, but let's face it: This is a pretty startling example of what choices today's editors are making. And it's no surprise, then, that politicians rush to things like the Schiavo case, knowing they'll get huge coverage of their absurd, politically-motivated pronouncements.
After reviewing this list of news coverage, and reflecting on the news judgement it suggests, I feel the need to take a cleansing shower. Yuck.
posted by Bill at 8:34 PM
2 Comments:
" I wouldn't put Carter in charge of a commission to fish the hair out of my shower drain. "
Ponce de Leon
I should note that former Treasury Secretary James Baker is the co-chair. Given his role in Bush v. Gore, it'll be interesting to see if he gets on board with some sensible reforms (Election Day registration, Election Day holiday, nonpartisan redistricting, etc.) But I'm not holding my breath for Baker to join the reform team.
CUT TO: Bill holding breath, turning blue, passing out.
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