dlake02

So, I asked this question when we first moved here about 18 months ago, and was panned by those that thought I was being condescending.

Now, I will admit to a cynical, ironic style of Brit humour which is out-of-place with the prevailing comedy here, but I do have a serious question.

We are sick-and-tired of the banal "local" news coverage on TV. We have four main "local" channels that all have an evening news programme that seems to cover no more than the daily shooting ritual that is Oakland, wild-fires in the hills, the state of the snow in Tahoe, etc. Oh, and a couple of minutes (maximum) on "World" news events.

Last night our local roving reporter on KTVU managed to venture just over two blocks from her studio in (ahem) Oakland to a domestic in (ahem) Oakland where she interviewed the policeman in charge of the siege who basically told her to bugger off - it's all under control. But, my, she persisted for nearly 25 minutes of the 1 hour news "show..." Hardly news, and not very interesting in the grand scheme of things.

I didn't even know about the potential recall of the governor in Wisconsin (that's in the same country !!!) until I heard about it on BBC World Service radio.

CNN is too rolling-news; PBS appears to be only attainable if you have a PhD in PPE.

So, where is the 30/45-minute reportage based new programmes like BBC News at 10, Channel 4 News, even the ITV evening news or their continental equivalents on ZDF, TF1, RAI Uno, TVE, etc. I want the light grilling and roasting of politicians, US domestic news, international news, comment and analysis of the days events worldwide.

I don't think I've ever seen a Senator or Representative being given a dressing-down on a news programme.

The best it gets appears to be NPR (which I listen to religiously, sometimes 24/7).

Is US TV news truly that awful ?

kimilseung

The Daily Show is the best news show. Sad but true.

Sally Redux

Yes.

dlake02

So I LOVE the Daily Show and Real Time, but that's not quite what I was looking for....

kimilseung

We understand that.

Even things like 60 minutes are considered good journalism by Americans that I know,

dlake02

So..... ?

kimilseung

I can't pull an American Paxman out my ass for you I am afraid.
(I would if I could)

Pombat

Anderson Cooper on CNN is the best we have found, but still doesn't give the kind of coverage you are talking about.

dlake02

Wow - that would be quite some trick if you COULD do that. Possibly painful, but worth the exertion.

dlake02

Yep - have discovered him and pretty good, I agree.

Sally Redux

I refreshed my memory by looking at the previous thread you referred to, are you still here temporarily?

kimilseung

but you will be banging your head against a wall if you suggest that media regulation, and requirements for news coverage with balance is a requisite for democracy.

The Fairness Doctrine went away before I came here, so I do not know if it was any better back then.

sir_eccles

You dismissed PBS but they do in fact carry BBC World news America regularly. Usually PBS World channel.

Lion in Winter

Yes, it's that awful.

This can't be emphasized enough - this is a different country and a different culture, similarities of language notwithstanding. You just don't get the kind of news programmes that you do in the UK. If you want that level of grasp of the news here, you have to read it - which is why the internet has been huge for me. Even so, it isn't easy.

Lion in Winter

I just listen to the Beeb via computer. No pics, but hey.