Seattle: A New Media Case Study
Seattle, perhaps more than any other American city, epitomizes the promise and challenges of American journalism at the local level.
In a busy news week, a massive storm that landed only a glancing blow on the U.S. East Coast was the No. 1 story. Another frightening situation that ended without more disastrous consequences, the Discovery Channel hostage drama, also finished among the top stories. And a formal change in the U.S. role in Iraq generated a rare burst of coverage in that subject.
Coverage of the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico edged out gloomy economic news and the mostly routine Elena Kagan confirmation hearings last week. But even as it regained the top spot after a one-week hiatus, there is evidence of diminishing media interest in the BP spill saga.
A tragic mine explosion in West Virginia led the news last week, with about twice the amount of coverage given to the next biggest story: the still-ailing U.S. economy.
Declines in news audience, revenue, reporting – and a grim picture for economic models for online news. From PEJ’s annual State of the News Media report.
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