An interesting analysis by the media watch group Media Matters breaks down Fox News' 1/13/2010 Haiti earthquake coverage as compared to its counterbalance MSNBC:
"Fox News' three top-rated programs for 2009, combined to devote a total of 6 minutes, 41 seconds of coverage to the earthquake in Haiti. Among the things they chose to air instead were Beck's interview with Palin -- to which he devoted nearly his entire show -- Hannity's continued advocacy for Brown; and O'Reilly's discussion of Stewart. Countdown, The Rachel Maddow Show, and Hardball, MSNBC's three top-rated shows, devoted 2 hours, 2 minutes and 33 seconds to the earthquake -- more than 18 times the coverage devoted by Fox News' top three shows. Other Fox News shows -- such as Special Report with Bret Baier and The Fox Report with Shepard Smith -- did devote extensive coverage to the earthquake."
The initial reaction might be a balk at Fox's insensitivity, however I welcome the break from the constant barrage of Haiti coverage. While of course my heart goes out to the people of Haiti and I'm supporting their relief, there are actually other things going on in the world.
Since the earthquake, the UN announced 2009 to have been Afghanistan's deadliest year since 2001, the nations top Banking Execs are appearing on Capital Hill, Prop 8 is going on trial, Israel is deporting American journalists, the Defense Department surpassed $700 billion in their budget for the first time in history as Obama requested an additional $33 Billion to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, six of the nation's largest insurance companies have been implicated in launching a $20 million anti-health reform campaign, the Federal government has accused Bank of America of illegally hiding Merrill Lynch losses from investors before acquiring them in 2008, 1 in 8 Americans are now reported to be on food stamps, Google is pulling out of China because of serious censorship and hacking threats, food giant Monsanto's genetic modification of corn has been linked to a "dramatic public health" threat, and the creator of SpagettiOs Donald Goerke passed away.
But you wouldn't know any of this because right now, nothing else is as important as splattering the nation's television screens with graphic horror stories from Haiti so that mainstream media can earn an extra half-a-point in the Neilson ratings.
Fox News may not be any less cannibalistic, but at least there is some variety to their balderdash.
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