What do you think of American TV News?

Question

I'm from Ireland and I find American news too commercial and not taking journalism seriously.

Print news is similar, but TV news is very flashy with a lot of graphics, and the amount of commercial breaks is annoying.

Also, interviews are short and really only have sound bites with the reporter then quoting parts of the interview, which could lead to misinterpretation of taking things out of context, which both conservatives and liberals seem to do alot.

So, what do you think of American news?

Answer 1

I completely agree with you (I'm from America). I've noticed that they fit so much into a half hour, and then you only know part of the facts. If there is a story I'm interested about I usually have to search for the story online and end up finding a lot of things that the news never told me. I live close to the Canadian border so I get CBC as well. Their news is much more in depth, even about silly stories like the local carnival coming to town. The thing that I hate the most about local TV here in the US, is if something big comes to town, they spend the first 20 minutes of a 30 minute broadcast talking about whatever it is that's coming, then before every break they have like a minute of it. It's like jeez, enough with it all ready. Cable news networks are a little better (depending on the show). I'm a liberal so I can't really say anything about Fox News because I personally can't stand to watch it, but there are some people on CNN that I cannot stand, for example Wolf Bitzer. Whenever anything happens within the first minute he's going on asking 'is terrorism involved?" it's like OK.. time to turn off the T.V. However there are other news casters who I love for their in depth coverage, Glenn Beck, Anderson Cooper, and Nancy Grace.

Answer 2

Very good analysis of American news, most of it is soundbytes rather than actual discussion. PBS the Lehrer Report is the one exception of that , more indepth coverage and analysis.

I can't stand Fox News, too partisan, too much of a GOP /White Housespeak rather than actually analyzing the news.

The big 3 American networks used to be better at giving you good indepth reporting but unfortunately have become more infused with entertainment celebrity news and fluff to soothe the short American attention span and the I don't want anything too violent or too heavy during my supper time news.

Also American networks barely cover any international news unless it has a direct effect on the US interests.

Yet I still watch ABC , NBC and CBS and PBS for my American news, force of habit I guess. I watch the CBC, CTV and BBC and CITY and Global in Canada.

Answer 3

That is their whole point. They only want you to hear bits and pieces and from there make up your theory on what they meant. For instance, where I live we have a newspaper and TV news station that are more for certain issues and those people who agree with those issues. Ex. gay marriage, teaching children in school about homosexuals (making it a subject) against guns and for gun control... they aim to please those people that agree with those issues and try and make the other side look wrong.. It will never end.. It is almost like a TV reality show.. It is a bummer... And in regards to the commercials.. yes... there are so many of them and they seem to take up more time then the actual news does...

Answer 4

I think it can be interesting to watch the "american perspective" especially when it comes to the Iraq war and other global news related to American propaganda. Plus their "home news" can also be interesting as well because they report on things which are not covered by the BBC and they do report far more on South American, Central American news than the BBC ever would (understandably so, since those are their closest neighbouring countries). I have an interest in news of that region though, so I do tune in from time to time.
I feel that the news reports can be quite biased towards American propaganda/politicians serving at the moment.

Answer 5

Here in the USA have I will agree allot of bad news is being reported and some of the news is slanted, the commercials some are some very dumb, and annoying, but I didn't foot the bill on them so,....

Answer 6

I think Thomas Jefferson said it best with the statement of:

"The only thing close to the truth in the media is the advertisments"

Answer 7

Most TV news is biased and aimed for shock; very yellow reporting

Answer 8

As an American, I tend to agree with you 100%. I'd be curious to watch British or Irish newscasts, just to be able to compare them.

Answer 9

I'm not impressed with the mainstream media in America. When I want to know the news, I listen to CBN and I occasionally listen to the conservative talk shows.

Answer 10

The media has a wash-brain effect, not just in America but everywhere