I also don’t completely understand the process of deciding what stories get covered and how much. It’s like murders, some get significant coverage–like ones in a small town others hardly, that involve non-violent people, a high-profile member of community, a unusual type of death.
But murders in high-crime areas, involving a drug deal or gangs, or maybe domestic violence–often get barely more than a mention.

The words “big tent” are often used when determining stories. But who’s to determine what will and will interest the most people?

When it comes to difficult, controversial, or complex issues, I think journalists (or news management) often look for an easy way out to avoid problems. Check this out.
http://www.bloggernews.net/11291

Maybe journalism should be more viewer/reader/listener/consumer driven. But how do you do that and keep up with the fast pace of news and quick turn-a-round of coverage expected from consumers?

Dave D.

Thanks for sharing this article. I never thought about the editors and producers who take the journalist’s story to frame it for their newspaper and TV station. I also didn’t think about the “journalistic norms” journalists face when composing a story. Although it may be the journalist’s intention to avoid biases, it can be “nearly impossible” when you include all of the other factors mentioned in the article.

-Erin P.

-PegC.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=media-bias-presidential-election&page=2