David Sirota: Maddow Shows How the "National" Media Isn't National At All

[marmar]

from OpenLeft:




Maddow Shows How the "National" Media Isn't National At All

by: David Sirota
Thu Jan 20, 2011 at 13:30


Last night, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow rightly asked a taboo question of our "national" media: Why has it largely ignored what the FBI says is a major terrorist bombing attempt on Spokane, Washington? In the segment, you can see she cites examples of the "national" media hyperventilating about bomb scares that ended up being false alarms. She cites these examples to wonder why, in the face of a bomb scare that's actually real, the same "national" media has ignored the Spokane story?

I have an answer to that question - it's an answer I've previously written about in a 2006 post entitled "It's the Geography, Stupid." As you can see from the clips Maddow cites, the "national" media has devoted wall-to-wall coverage to bomb scares that have occurred specifically in New York and Washington, D.C. That's not a coincidence from a "national" media that isn't "national" at all. Indeed, what passes for a "national" media these days is almost exclusively New York/D.C. based media that focuses almost exclusively on New York/D.C.-centric stories.

Watch the typical news broadcast on a given night and you'll see what I'm talking about. Despite having satellite feeds and news facilities all over America, almost all of the "national" shows you will see are nonetheless primarily featuring anchors and guests living in, working in and focusing on Washington and New York.

Now, obviously, New York and Washington are important places, deserving of ongoing news coverage. But in a nation of 300 million people, they are not the only place where news happens - and certainly not the only place that has worthy anchors and guests. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.openleft.com/diary/21463/maddow-shows-how-the-national-media-isnt-national-at-all

[rhett o rick]

1. The "News Media" isnt at all about news. They want viewers and ratings. nm

[Vinnie From Indy]

2. I hate it when they get it wrong!

The fact is that this latest bomb scare was not covered because it did not fit the agreed upon narrative that our "national" media follows in regard to acts of terror. The media did not obsess on this bombing attempt because it would have meant examining more in depth the attacks of the right-wing in America. Bombings in New York and DC DO fit the narrative that we are under attack from outside forces determined to convert your Aunt in Possum Trot, Kentucky into a Muslim. You can be sure that after the Arizona shooting rampage that the major mainstream media did not want to throw a spotlight on another attack on Americans by extremist Americans from the right wing in America. No, that would have not fit the narrative at all.

In short, the lack of coverage was much more due to the political implications of the attempted attack in Spokane rather than any view by decision makers in the East that this was a minor event in some distant province. You can be quite sure that the we would be getting round the clock coverage of the attempted bombing if there was even a hint that it was done by a person/persons of another race other than white. You can bet the farm on that!

[ixion]

3. spot on, Vinnie

:toast:

[Laelth]

4. Very interesting. Thanks for posting. n/t

-Laelth

[Volaris]

5. I'm thinking that...

if that bomb had been planted at a parade for Saint Ronnie's birthday, the "national" media would have set up camp in downtown Spokane and not left yet....

[Kurovski]

8. You can bet they're hunting down some "mad lefty" stories.

+1

[StarsInHerHair]

6. recc'd up to 20

nt

[Kurovski]

7. I think this is an important point. (nt)

[madrchsod]

9. out here between the mountains we have known that for years

chicago is the third largest market in the usa but the only time there`s news is when something really bad happens.the national press said nothing about illinois electing the only democratic state government in the rust belt. but the times decided illinois was going to fail with it`s tax hikes.

there`s a lot more out here that no one on the coast hears or reads about.

[upi402]

10. Media is propaganda, MSNBC has a few who get the word out

And the MSM hates that. (MSM = Fox, CNN, Rush etc)

[malaise]

11. Rachel continues to expose M$Greedia

This cover up is a disgrace.

[myrna minx]

12. K&R n/t

[Tsiyu]

13. People should start complaining to the FCC

Here's a good link.

http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

Scroll down to "Broadcast, Cable and Satellite Issues."


Have a specific instance to relate, specifically on AM/FM Radio or on broadcast - not cable - TV. These are your public airwaves...