Local News Varies
As I was looking at a couple local news websites tonight, it struck me how even though in theory they’re all covering the same market and region, the top stories vary. Let’s look at the top three stories on each:
- KGW: Flood emergency declared, Teacher’s aide accused of sex with student, and the OHSU Tram test runs
- KATU: Flood emergency, train derailment in California, and Bush/Pelosi discussions
- KOIN: Democrats take the US Senate, Minnis’ re-election, and murderer escaping
Other than two of them having flood coverage as #1, there’s no duplication whatsoever. Does this say something about the focus of each? Or does it just reflect that there really isn’t any logical explanation to picking news headlines? I guess that’s one thing that isn’t an issue for our reverse-chronological ordering here… our top story could be pretty much anything!
Related posts:
I’ve only lived here six months, but it’s struck me that’s there rarely a “top story” to pick from in this news market. Other than severe weather or the odd major story (Foxworth, the elections, triple murder in soccer-mom suburb, etc.), there are very few local stories that would bind Portlanders as a whole. Without those, it’s up to the judgment (or lack thereof) of any particular news director.
They all have different editors?