President Donald Trump’s war with Iran has caused oil prices to skyrocket, sending gas prices soaring. Local media outlets throughout the country have spotlighted the impact rising prices have on the lives of Americans. Fox News, however, has downplayed the pain.
Local news outlets have covered the pain at the pump, highlighting how rising fuel costs are impacting local schools, rideshare drivers, and the trucking industry, among other things. Some stations talked to Americans who are having to cut back on travel, entertainment, and even groceries. Two examples are noteworthy:
- Food delivery services for seniors, such as Meals on Wheels, are struggling as gas prices rise. Local news has been showing the effects the higher prices are having on these programs. An anchor for Arkansas’ K8 News said, “Not only gas prices are rising, but also food prices, which is currently impacting one of Arkansas's most vulnerable groups hard — our seniors.”
- Pertinent to this week, local news stations are warning that rising fuel costs may drive up the price of Mother’s Day bouquets as florists deal with the impact on their businesses. A Kansas City florist said, “I am looking at all kinds of extra fuel charges which increases the price of the flower on top of tariffs that we already have. So yeah, it's a problem, it's a problem. It's expensive.”
Meanwhile, Fox News personalities have said rising prices are “no big deal” and reminding their audience that oil companies in the U.S. “are actually benefiting from this.”
It’s not just high gas prices hurting Americans right now. High diesel and fertilizer costs resulting from the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran are forcing farmers to raise prices and reduce yearly fertilizer purchases. Local media outlets and agriculture trade publicans are sounding the alarm on this crisis.
Media Matters is collecting examples of local media covering higher fuel prices. I invite you to check out our many examples here.