Where do you get your international news? What are your trusted sources for finding out what the U.S. is doing on the world? The MountainRunner blog (devoted to public diplomacy and strategic communication) recently examined a new study about the amount of international news coverage in the mainstream American media. The study found that the amount of time devoted to international news was declining. This at a time when the U.S. is fighting two wars and (depending on who you talk to) contemplating a third. I like to recommend a mix of media sources, from standard MSM TV news (NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams will interview Iranian President Ahmadinejad today, that will be worth watching) as well as traditional newspapers and international news websites like the BBC and the varied sources listed in Google News (which offers great international links).
I’d like to think that the readers of FPA blogs are well informed and savvy consumers of international news. What can we do to encourage mainstream news to increase the amount of international news they offer? Probably the best strategy would be to simply let them and their sponsors know that you appreciate their international news coverage, using everything from traditional letters-to-the-editor to posting comments on their websites. Please join me in letting them know that there is indeed an audience for international news.
