The televisision news media's approach to covering things space is interesting. Recently, it has given time to the delivery of a space shuttle to a New York City museum, and to the latest SuperMoon. A SuperMoon occurs when a full moon coincides with when the Moon is at its closest approach to Earth. That happens on a regular schedule. Strictly speaking, therefore, it's probably not news at all.
A huge full moon on the horizon, however, is a compelling image, as is a space shuttle riding piggyback atop a 747 as it flies over New York City landmarks, and television loves compelling images. If the goal of television news is to help create and support a well-informed public, though, there are more important stories to cover. Examining the political fight over NASA's budget would be one. Looking at the emergence of the NewSpace industry would be another. Providing updates on the continuing exploration of Mars and the Cassini mission to Saturn would show voters their tax money at work while also providing television with stunning pictures. The American people aren't interested in space beyond gee-whiz stuff, say television news big wigs. That argument would be stronger if the news media covered space seriously and got flooded with negative feedback from a range of viewers for doing so.
Brian Williams of NBC News seems inclined to cover space whenever he can put something on. He, presumably, doesn't think he's driving viewers away. Ignoring a major area of science and technology in a world increasingly dependent on science and technology seems to miss the boat.
Monday, May 7, 2012
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