Why won't evening news shows host actual economists when covering the economy?

[Triana]

REPORT: Weekday Broadcast And Cable Evening News Economic Coverage Highly Polarized, Lacks Expert Analysis

Economists Barely Factor Into Television Economic Segments, Attention To Economic Inequality Slips From Previous Quarter

. . .

MSNBC Leading Discussion Of Economic Growth. MSNBC continued to lead all networks calling for policies aimed at job creation and economic growth. The network hosted 79 segments in which policies directed at increased economic activity were discussed during the second quarter of 2014. Fox News accounted for the bulk of remaining segments calling for economic growth, focusing 45 segments on the topic.

Fox News Cements Status As Deficit Hawk. Fox News dedicated 29 segments to discussions focused on the need to reduce the federal budget deficit or the national debt. The network accounted for roughly 90 percent of all segments focused on debt and deficit reduction.

CNN Largely Absent From Economic Discussion. During the second quarter of 2014, CNN dedicated just 7 significant segments to calls for economic growth and job creation. This represents a more than 80 percent drop from the previous quarter, during which the network had dedicated 39 segments to the topic.




. . .

Economists Accounted For Just Over 2 Percent Of Guests. Economists accounted for the smallest share of all recorded guests, representing 16 of the 657 guests in segments on the economy during the second quarter of the year, just over 2 percent. This is roughly in line with the proportion of economists and economic professionals appearing in segments on the economy in the previous quarter. Journalist and political guests represented the overwhelming majority of guests in segments on the economy, comprising 59 and 25 percent of total guests, respectively.





MUCH more information and charts at LINK: http://mediamatters.org/research/2014/07/08/report-weekday-broadcast-and-cable-evening-news/200020

[onecaliberal]

1. Perhaps because people would find out

The true state of our economy, and more importantly who is responsible.

[Triana]

2. Yea God forbid that the public knew the truth.

They never have actual economists on. Not mainstream outlets. I'd love to see Krugman, Piketty, Richard Wolff - on mainstream media. But I know it will never (or rarely) happen.