Facts are that if there's a flu pandemic it's in the United States, not Mexico. Some 36,000 Americans died of influenza-induced illness in the last few years or 99 per day which happens to be four times' the current death rate in Mexico.
and she adds that
Despite these insignficant figures, the media at first billed this as a pandemic, then downgraded to an epidemic. Soon it will be an outbreak, but, frankly, it should be a media scandal.
Part of the reason is that the real news -- the economic meltdown and attempts to right the world's listing ship -- is not telegenic. If the G20 leaders wore face masks or balaclavas every day, like the street protesters, they would be dominating TV coverage. If Iraq hadn't dragged on so long, and wasn't so expensive to cover for the dying television networks, it would dominate.
Over at Editor and Publisher they also have some thoughts on the matter.
Health journalism veterans and experts warn that too much negative coverage can stir panic, but advise reporters and editors to stick to basic facts and advice from the best experts.and they quote Al Tompkins, a top instructor at the Poynter Institute who says that
"Myth-busting is an important piece of it. Be careful that speed doesn't lead to inaccuracy. Be cautious."
Looking at the front pages of both the Sun and the Express this morning on this side of the Atlantic it is also important to remember some other words of advice
Tompkins points to the extended photos of people wearing surgical masks, which he contends are found to provide little protection. He says they also paint an image of real danger to readers and viewers. "There are opportunities here to learn how your community works and how it responds to this."
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