Research/Study
Broadcast TV networks’ August wildfire coverage missed key factors including climate change, coronavirus, and prison labor
Only 4% of wildfire segments on ABC, CBS, and NBC mentioned climate change
Published
August was a turbulent month for wildfire activity in the Western U.S. California alone suffered through two of its largest wildfires in recent history, and there are more than 80 other large, active fires burning in 15 states. Record-breaking temperatures and climate change are playing a role in the size and scale of the fires, and the coronavirus pandemic is complicating efforts to contain the blazes and safely evacuate those in their path. But a review by Media Matters found that these factors were largely ignored in broadcast TV news coverage of the month’s wildfires.
Key Findings:
- Corporate broadcast TV outlets — ABC, CBS, and NBC — aired a combined 114 segments about wildfires on their morning and evening news shows from August 1 to August 31.
- Only five of the 114 wildfire segments -- just 4% of them -- mentioned climate change. All five of these mentions occurred during a 10-day period from August 14-23, which saw California suffer under extreme heat.
- This marks the third year in a row that major corporate broadcast TV news shows have mentioned climate change in less than 5% of wildfire segments.
- Notably, four of the five climate mentions appeared during broadcast morning programs -- three of which appeared on the program CBS This Morning: Saturday and were noted by CBS meteorologist Jeff Berardelli.
- The coronavirus pandemic, which is complicating efforts to fight wildfires and handle evacuations, was mentioned in only 17 of the 114 wildfire segments, or 15%.
- California’s exploitative practice of using prison labor to fight the fires, which was significantly reduced because of the pandemic, was mentioned in only 3 wildfire segments.