Jeff Snyder
EF5
Do you think the news media are handling this situation effectively? Do you think they are portraying the situation as true to reality?
Personally, I have been quite surprised (and pleased) at the heart and effectiveness of most of the major TV cable networks. Regardless of whether or not you think a particular network puts a "spin" on their coverage, it seems that every single piece of information coming from this disaster (namely, from New Orleans) has been telling the same story -- they NEED water -- they NEED food. Things in the past 18 hours have finally begun to change, thank goodness!
On the human side, I've seen the tone of many reporters go from slight relief that the brunt of the storm missed New Orleans, to anger that it's taken 4-5 days to get food and water to these folks in the city. Now, it seems that some reporters have been pushed to their breaking point -- they aren't mad anymore, they are just desperate to see help for folks in New Orleans. Shepard Smith, Anderson Cooper, etc, have all shown and expressed the same feelings and emotions that the vast majority of the American public is having. Anger, frustration, and a desire to help these folks. Regardless of whether folks are there because they shouldn't leave, or because they couldn't leave, the desire and desperation for help is incredible. Again, we're all pleased to see food and water finally get to these people. I've been pleased to see anchors finally standing up to many elected officials who keep spewing words that are in direct contrast to every report coming out of the area. Hearing an achor tell a senator that things they are saying are nowhere close to reality is refreshing.
It should also be noted that I'm the only thing I'm a little disappointed about is the fact that, from my experience, only about 10% of all news coverage is going to areas outside New Orleans. Anderson Cooper has been in Waveland, MS, but most of the other coverage has been strictly about New Orleans. The damage has been just as bad (and worse) to the east of New Orleans, though I suppose the number of people in need of "desperate" necessities fewer to the east of New Orleans.
It's also nice to hear from folks like Rita Crosby and Greta Van Sustren (sp?) about how incredible shelter operations in Texas have been going. One reporter has been reporting from a shelter in Baton Rouge, also telling great stories of charity and generosity.
NOTE: Do not turn this into a political thread. Yes, some news coverage is inherently political some could say, but please try to keep discussion more about media coverage and less about politics.
Personally, I have been quite surprised (and pleased) at the heart and effectiveness of most of the major TV cable networks. Regardless of whether or not you think a particular network puts a "spin" on their coverage, it seems that every single piece of information coming from this disaster (namely, from New Orleans) has been telling the same story -- they NEED water -- they NEED food. Things in the past 18 hours have finally begun to change, thank goodness!
On the human side, I've seen the tone of many reporters go from slight relief that the brunt of the storm missed New Orleans, to anger that it's taken 4-5 days to get food and water to these folks in the city. Now, it seems that some reporters have been pushed to their breaking point -- they aren't mad anymore, they are just desperate to see help for folks in New Orleans. Shepard Smith, Anderson Cooper, etc, have all shown and expressed the same feelings and emotions that the vast majority of the American public is having. Anger, frustration, and a desire to help these folks. Regardless of whether folks are there because they shouldn't leave, or because they couldn't leave, the desire and desperation for help is incredible. Again, we're all pleased to see food and water finally get to these people. I've been pleased to see anchors finally standing up to many elected officials who keep spewing words that are in direct contrast to every report coming out of the area. Hearing an achor tell a senator that things they are saying are nowhere close to reality is refreshing.
It should also be noted that I'm the only thing I'm a little disappointed about is the fact that, from my experience, only about 10% of all news coverage is going to areas outside New Orleans. Anderson Cooper has been in Waveland, MS, but most of the other coverage has been strictly about New Orleans. The damage has been just as bad (and worse) to the east of New Orleans, though I suppose the number of people in need of "desperate" necessities fewer to the east of New Orleans.
It's also nice to hear from folks like Rita Crosby and Greta Van Sustren (sp?) about how incredible shelter operations in Texas have been going. One reporter has been reporting from a shelter in Baton Rouge, also telling great stories of charity and generosity.
NOTE: Do not turn this into a political thread. Yes, some news coverage is inherently political some could say, but please try to keep discussion more about media coverage and less about politics.