TV coverage of the stimulus

The Associated Press has an article that examines television coverage of the latest stimulus plan. The article cites findings by several organizations that tracked and studied the coverage in detail. The findings show the stimulus may have been treated "like just another political battle." 

According to Media Matters of America, only 6 percent of the 681 guests who appeared on "a dozen cable news and four network Sunday morning talk shows in the three weeks that ended last Sunday" were economists. The organization's spokesperson said, "That count alone indicates a lack of effort in tracking down what was most important about the story." 

Media Research Center, which tracked "interview subjects on the most-watched newscasts," found only "13 percent of the people interviewed on economic recovery between Obama's election and final passage of the bill were economists." 

From the story:

To a certain extent, networks could be accused of unimaginative bookings, going to people they know very well. Media Matters counted 19 separate appearances by CNN financial correspondent Ali Velshi during the three weeks. The three people who opined most about the bill on Fox News Channel were regulars Morris, Rove and Juan Williams, the group said. 

But, according to ABC executive producer Ian Cameron, this pattern may just be the result of "24-hour cable's need to draw contrast and promote verbal battles" rather than "unimaginative bookings." 

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