BBC World News is a real 24-hour news network. While watching BBC World News this morning, I saw a live report from Palestine followed by a countdown to the Israeli elections. In the following hour, they hosted a live debate with representatives from the two leading parties.
What is the source of this difference in news coverage between American press and the British press? Is it a difference in audience preference? The easy answer is that the Brits are more concerned with international news because of their imperial heritage. I blame the American tradition of isolationism that has led to an increasingly insular press. So our press fills its extra airtime from shortening international news with sensational stories of little significance. This is my second post bashing CNN for its programming decisions. I only bash because I love and respect my hometown news channel.
Yet, I know I'm not the only one out there who wants more international coverage. So, please, Time Warner and News Corp., give us more international news and less filler, so that we can grow up to be big and strong world citizens.
Tracy Steel @ Tue, 03/28/2006 - 1:05pm
It is well known that Americans are the worst geographers in the world. Why would someone be interested in an event happening in a country that he can't pronounce, muchless point out on a map? But perhaps this "tradition of isolationism" in American media of is part of the cause of this problem.
But I agree with you--the American media needs to follow the example of European media, and cover more relevant, international stories.