Local Media Goes Rogue On Palin Visit

Submitted by dochoc on Fri, 2009-12-04 19:31

Image of Sarah Palin

Local corporate media coverage of the Sarah Palin book-signing event in Norman Thursday was overhyped and lacked perspective.

Local television stations gave it live coverage, and even Ed Kelley, editor of The Oklahoman, weighed in with his opinion that Palin, the former vice presidential candidate, is (drum roll, please) a “political rock star.”

Here’s the problem with all the hype: The crowd at Hastings in Norman was estimated at around 1,000. What’s the big deal? I bet more people show up at The Lost Ogle’s Snuggie Pub Crawl Saturday night. So will the snuggies get as much coverage? Also, compare that 1,000 number to the crowds of 75,000 and even 100,000 people that President Barack Obama would draw at speeches and events during his 2008 campaign.

The local media elites, including Kelley, also made a big point that the crowd showed up despite the cold, but, really, it wasn’t that cold. There wasn’t a huge ice or snowstorm looming. People who lined up outside the store needed coats, some gloves and maybe some ear protection because, well, it’s almost winter here on the prairie. No one was going to die of exposure. It can get cold in December.

Yes, Oklahoma is an ultra-conservative state, and, yes, Palin undoubtedly has support from tea baggers and birthers here, but her stop in Oklahoma simply didn’t warrant all the breathless coverage. She got the coverage because the local corporate media has a right-wing bias that continues to skew the news to favor conservative ideology and the GOP agenda.

Here’s a question that went unasked by the corporate media here: Why does a GOP political rock star and a possible 2012 presidential candidate only draw 1,000 people to an event in conservative Oklahoma?

Fittingly, Palin wouldn’t even talk to the local media types that so adore her and her family, but no one seemed to complain. Why get tangled up in questions and facts and policy positions with a rock star?

I was at Gore and Dawkins,

Submitted by peacearena on Fri, 2009-12-04 23:36.

I was at Gore and Dawkins, and they were extremely well attended. Admittedly, they are not as pretty as Sarah.

Great Example

Submitted by dochoc on Fri, 2009-12-04 23:24.

Thanks for the telling example about Pioneer Woman. I realize Palin is selling a lot of books, but one thousand fans hardly demands live, breaking coverage. What about Democrats, progressives and free thinkers, such as Al Gore, Richard Dawkins, Kurt Vonnegut and others, who come to Oklahoma to speak and draw thousands of people. Where's all the live coverage then?

Perspective

Submitted by peacearena on Fri, 2009-12-04 22:50.

I agree with all your points. How many came to see Pioneer Woman a few weeks ago? If not 1000, I bet it wasn't much less. And she's a real writer, not an empty-headed bigot like SP.