Oil spill coverage shifting into new phase

[July 21, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The cap that has stopped oil from gushing uncontrollably into the Gulf of Mexico means that news cameras will no doubt begin drifting away from the disaster scene. That's a relief to some, and a fear to others.

The story has dominated broadcast news over the past couple of months. Live video of cascading oil lent an urgency to almost any story the cable news networks came up with on the topic.

CNN's Anderson Cooper says that while many Gulf residents are happy to see the leak capped, they worry the media will go away and not keep an eye on the cleanup. But news consultant Andrew Tyndall, who monitors the content of newscasts, said the story has been overcovered and now is a good opportunity to start moving away.

[Associated Press]

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