REPORT: On health care reform, networks highlight perceived setbacks far more than progress

[SpartanDem]

SUMMARY: In two studies, Media Matters documents that TV news networks have repeatedly given considerably more attention to perceived setbacks to progressive health care reform efforts than to events that signal progress for those efforts.

In their health care reform coverage, media have repeatedly given considerably more attention to perceived setbacks to progressive reform efforts than to events that signal progress for those efforts. A Media Matters for America analysis of transcripts available in the Nexis database has found that broadcast and cable news featured almost twice as many segments mentioning the American Medical Association's (AMA's) reported opposition to a public insurance plan as segments mentioning the AMA's recent announcement that it supported the House Democrats' health care reform bill, which includes a public plan.

That finding is consistent with an earlier Media Matters study showing that the number of cable news segments in Nexis mentioning an initial Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of an incomplete version of a Senate health committee draft bill was far greater than the number of segments mentioning a later CBO analysis. That later analysis showed that an updated version of the bill would cover more people for less than the earlier scoring had suggested. Media Matters has also documented a pattern in which media suggest that President Obama's reform effort is in serious jeopardy, despite events -- including the AMA endorsement and revised CBO score -- that indicate reform efforts have made substantial progress.

Following the June 10 publication of a New York Times article reporting that the AMA "will oppose creation of a government-sponsored insurance plan," broadcast and cable news networks ran a total of 23 segments from June 11 through June 14 that mentioned or discussed the AMA's reported stance, according to a search of transcripts available in the Nexis database. By contrast, following the July 16 announcement by the AMA that it supported passage of the House Democrats' health care reform bill, the networks ran a total of 12 segments from July 16 through July 20 mentioning or discussing the AMA's endorsement:



http://mediamatters.org/research/200907220012


There goes that "liberal media" again

[rocktivity]

1. Well, keep in mind that a public or single payer option will cost the media

lots and LOTS of advertising revenue.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[BlooInBloo]

2. I haven't once seen the latter CBO analysis on teevee, actually.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

4. Hope Obama makes sure to mention THAT one tonight

Maybe then it WILL get some attention- or at least be harder to ignore with him out there in front pointing it out anyway. We can hope, anyway. If he does, I sure hope as many people as possible catch it live because I'm sure the corporate media whores won't play clips of THAT "inconvenient truth" over and over again. :shrug:

[BlueIdaho]

3. Fellow Travelers

The MSM is part of the problem not part of the solution but you have a role to play too. Before today is done - email or phone at least one major network and tell them you are sick and tired of their obvious bias. Before today is done email or phone at least one member of congress and demand Health Care Reform now. Before today is done - talk to a friend or neighbor. Remind them what's at stake. Its not just about the uninsured its about all our health care costs spiraling out of sight while coverage shrinks and denials increase.

This is the fight of our lives and nothing will happen unless you decide to help.

[FrenchieCat]

5. I agree......being lazy at this time is not an option!

Contact your congresscritter using this tool: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt



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[anonymous171]

6. How can we neuter the press? And by "the press" I mean the companies that own the press.

Taxation? Fairness Doctrine? A combination of the two? Grassroots organizing? I feeling really hopeless right about now.