Whose Lives Matter To The Media?

Whose Lives Matter To The Media?

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The media’s credibility is at a record low. Now, only 32% of Americans say they fully trust the news they watch - the lowest rate in 20 years. Many say that it’s the news media’s apparent bias that challenges their confidence. 

Biases on ideology aside, a new article in Current Affairs suggests the bias may be who is worth covering instead of what. The article cites a 2007 study that found major television networks like CNN, NBC, and ABC spend far more time covering tragedies in Europe and North America than everywhere else. For example, one death from a tragedy in Europe would get the same attention as 45 deaths in Africa, and 91 in the Asia Pacific region. To discuss what this kind of media hierarchy of victims means for how we value people around the world, Worldview  talks with listeners and Nathan Robinson, editor of Current Affairs.