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Pew study: Financial coverage ignores average Americans
Most coverage of the ongoing financial crisis has focused on the plight of big companies and banks, with less on the average person, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism.
"The government and big business have driven most of the coverage, have had the largest voice in the portrayal of it, and have accounted for most of the key ideas," the study states. "Meanwhile, the primary victims of the recession -- average Americans -- did not play a main role in press coverage of the crisis."
The report, released today, reveals the White House and other government officials "initiated nearly a third (32%) of economic stories, while the media itself triggered 23% and businesses 21%. In contrast, ordinary citizens initiated just 2% of stories."
It adds that three "themes" accounted for nearly 40% of economic coverage studied: reviving the banking sector; the stimulus package debate and th U.S. auto industry.