Off the Media: The Human Interest Slog

Ahhhh, NOW we know what makes for a good cable news story. It has to be “human interest,” which to On the Media co-host Bob Garfield means “aberrant, ongoing and unresolved.” But when he says a story like the Mt. Hood climber search “affects nobody but the principles,” is he forgetting the taxpayer money spent on the rescue efforts? Besides, we’ve heard news people justify this kind of coverage as cautionary tales. (“Remember, when you’re mountain climbing, not to die a horrible death by getting lost …”) OK, sure, those stories push more “real” news aside.

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