Ever find it interesting that every single day, every newspaper or news broadcast has just enough news to fit the minutes/pages? Of course, this isn't true, they select the news they wish to share with us. This is actually one of the more subtle, more effective means of media bias than slanted commentary or lead ins.
Watching American news programs would make one think that news only happens here. Apparently, unless there is a tragedy, nothing ever happens in Africa, Latin America or Asia. Even Europe more or less must stand around and stare at walls all day. Is it any wonder Americans are so unaware of the world around them?
Many argue that today's "News" programs blur the line between news and entertainment - that it's more profitable to simply tell us either what we want to hear, or show us what we most like to watch, since this translates to ratings and ad dollars. This is how we end up with an entire week of the Tiger Woods Scandal on CNN. They are rewarding us for our scandal appetite.
These networks have also mastered the art of creative presentation - flashing graphics, ominous or celebratory music, pretty faces, and loaded language have made these broadcasts largely devoid of news unfortunately.
As research/proof, watch a half hour of Fox News or MSNBC with Keith Olbermann and then watch a half hour of the Lehrer News Hour on PBS or the BBC America News Hour. Very easy to see the difference between profit and non-profit news.
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