Arianna Huffington: MSM Neglecting Vital Part Of Utah Mine Story

[Wetzelbill]

Arianna Huffington

Why Are the New York Times and So Much of the MSM Neglecting a Vital Part of the Utah Mine Collapse Story?

Yesterday, while speaking at the Aspen Institute's Forum on Communications and Society, I commented on how the mainstream media have, with a few exceptions, been focusing on only one aspect of the Crandall Canyon Mine tragedy -- the desperate attempt to rescue the trapped miners -- while paying scant attention to investigating the reasons why these miners were trapped in the first place.

I specifically mentioned Sunday's New York Times piece by Martin Stolz, who had been dispatched to Huntington to cover the story. Stolz's report was filled with details about the progress rescuers had made through the collapsed mine (650 ft), and the capabilities of the hi-res camera being lowered into the mine (can pick up images from 100 ft away) -- but not one word about what led to the collapse, including the role retreat mining might have played in it, or the 324 safety violations federal inspectors have issued for the mine since 2004.

The story, like most of the TV coverage, featured Bob Murray, the colorful co-owner of the mine. Stolz painted a picture of Murray emerging from the mine "with a coal-blackened face and in miner's coveralls to discuss the latest finding with the families of the missing miners."

Cue the swelling music and start the casting session. Your mind reflexively begins to wonder who would play Murray in the Crandall Canyon TV movie. Wilfred Brimley? Robert Duvall? Paul Newman?


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/why-are-the-new-york-t_b_60412.html

[Chipper Chat]

1. Ernest Borgnine

Or Carroll O'Connor - if they were alive.

[zalinda]

2. Borgnine is still alive, and still acting. n/t

[Chipper Chat]

5. Wow! Didn't know that. Thanks.

One of my favorites. First time I saw him was in "Away All Boats" with Jeff Chandler - maybe 1956?

[DeeDeeNY]

9. This site will let you know who's dead and who's alive

http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/

[billyoc]

3. Fred Thompson.

:rofl:

[Wetzelbill]

4. hahahaha

now that is funny!!!

[Tanuki]

6. K & R

I agree. There is something really bizarre about the way Murray has been allowed to control the message on this story.

[loudsue]

15. That's easy....he's a HUGE donor to the republicrooks running the gov't. agencies

assigned to oversee his operations. More bribes to get more republicans elected to further destroy our country, our citizens, and our environment, all for a few bucks of profit.

:kick:

[zanne]

7. Finally!

Mine Safety regulations were completely ignored by the media. So Huffington Post has published a piece, but will the MSM follow? Not likely. Meanwhile, ordinary people are asking "Why so many mining accidents lately?" When the answer doesn't come, it just fades from memory. Maybe it's a worn-out complaint, but unless something is done to balance out the media in this country, we may as well just give it up. Knowledge of current events only comes from the press. All we know is what we're told.

[Wetzelbill]

8. here is another one

I have a few mine threads floating around.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3451310&mesg_id=3451310

[Wetzelbill]

10. Kick

[flpoljunkie]

11. Thanks, Arianna, for reminding the media they are not focusing on why this mine disaster happened

And thank you wetzelbill, for posting this, as I have been knashing my teeth about this sorry M$M coverage for days. K&R!

[Wetzelbill]

12. you're welcome

Thanks for the k&r. :)

[DeepModem Mom]

13. K&R

[GardeningGal]

14. Excellent article.

Everyone should take a moment to read the full article.

[Ian_rd]

16. A related story on how the Bush Administration handles mine safety

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/01/60minutes/main609889.shtml