After analyzing 102 local news programs from 52 metropolitan areas in the United States for content and presentation, a media watch group found that only 41.3% of programs contained news. What is the rest of the news?
On average, 30.4% of airtime on local television news is advertising. In fact, some of the broadcasters surveyed devote more time to advertising than to news. In addition, news airtime is often full of nonsense, according to the report that summarizes the results of the study. * Titled "Fluff," the report "consolidates the airtime accumulated for exchanging presenters, promotions, and trailers for future stories," cute "or silly news, and articles about celebrities. An example of some spontaneous stories:" Terrible Tenors Contest " , "Reporter Does" Awesome, Amazing, Amazing, "Roller Coaster" Ride and "More People Buy Spreads at the Supermarket.
What are the stories that make up the breaking news? Crime stories dominate the television news, accounting for 26.9% of airtime. "When He's Bleeding Leads" is always a hit on the local TV news. . . Crime rates may have decreased in the US in recent years, but not on local TV news. "Because? According to the study's authors," criminal activity is dramatic and attracts people's attention. ""
Crime is associated with coverage of disasters such as fires, car accidents, floods and explosions (12.2% of the news), followed by sports news (11.4%). Then there is health insurance (10.1%), government (8.7%) and savings (8.5%). Issues such as education, the environment, art and science receive little attention (1.3 to 3.6 percent). Weather reports, on the other hand, make up an average of 10% of all news. "Everyone loves talking about the weather and television news is no exception," commented the researchers. They add: "Any weather, good or bad, hot or cold, humid or dry, can produce extensive coverage on television."
On the positive side, more and more journalists and viewers see the need for change. However, the study admits that such a change will not be easy as "market forces and greed can still threaten quality journalism".
I don't watch the news. Friends let me know when something is important. In our country, the news only talks about Covid19 🙄