How does the news determine what are major stories?

Answer 1

I think it bases those decisions on what they think people want to hear and also on the personal bias of the news organization. Much of the news assumes that we want to hear what Danny Devito or George Clooney's view is on world politics but I don't they are any more valid than Rush Limbaugh who I think was a sportscaster until he found a niche with the right slanted media. Whatever they use to determine major stories is certainly jaded as with a country at war, NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN led their news shows with stories on Brittany's rehab, and then another night on her haircut, and we really are well informed about Anna Nicole's plight and excesses. They always say that entertainment teleivision is directed toward demographics that are basically about teen age and the news is really no different. About two decades ago the News Division of each of these organizations was placed under the control of the Entertainment Division (except for CNN) and those divisions must show a profit or heads roll. So its like watching Entertainment Tonight rather than a news program that people rely on for hard information to base decisions on who to vote for or how to feel about this or that. Is it biased? Yes I think it is. Best kept secret in the news world (at least from viewers) is that Bush went to war with a positive vote from the Democratic Majority in the Senate and House. Little is heard about that and many of those same people just went through re-elections and many used anti war platforms even though they were responsible for the war as much as Bush. So we are poorly served by the news and choice of news stories has much to do with that. Good insight on your part to notice that as a key issue.

Answer 2

By what they think will get the highest ratings, or sell the most newspapers.