Iraq: Good News is Not News

The news that there is no violence in Iraq is HUGE news. However, the reporting template is all about burning cars; exploding IEDs; dead people in the streets; mangled children; crying mothers; blasted vehicles and buildings.

It comes as no surprise that a PEW poll supports the conclusion: when it comes to Iraq, good news is not news.

News coverage of Iraq is now significantly less than it was at the start of the year. In January, roughly a quarter of the overall newshole (26%) in newspapers, TV newscasts, websites and radio was devoted to news about Iraq. In October, the war received only half as much coverage on average (13%), according to data compiled by the Project for Excellence in Journalism's News Coverage Index.

Of course, the folks at PEW will try to say public interest is down and that is why there is less coverage. However, you and I both know the news outfits will exhaustively cover topics they are interested in regardless of their audience's interest. You need look no farther than the last year's worth of coverage of the Democrat presidential candidates to have the proof.