the kicker

Hoarse to Horse: Health Care Coverage "Storyline Shifted Last Week"

August 26, 2009

Per PEJ’s News Coverage Index, “the debate over health care proved to be the No. 1 story” for the fifth straight week, occupying 28% of the August 17-23 newshole. And:

After several weeks of coverage driven by the town hall confrontations, the storyline shifted last week…

…sounds promising. Tell me more, PEJ!

Attention to the protests themselves waned, and media and commentators focused on a political scorecard for the key players.

Oh. So, after a week of covering people shouting themselves hoarse, we’re back to the horse race.

Though, not entirely:

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Even as the President’s message problems seemed to dominate the storyline, town hall showdowns still attracted some coverage…

Liz Cox Barrett is a writer at CJR.