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Fueling the networks

Wondering if it's time to panic over gas or have SUV guilt? The broadcast networks pine for the panic. NBC, ABC and CBS are obsessed with gas, gas prices and irate consumers -- one more convenient way to blame something unfortunate on the White House. According to a new analysis by the Media Research Center, the three networks aired a total of 183 stories about the horrors of gas prices between April 12 and May 2.

Only four stories in the same time period covered the current low unemployment rate of 4.7 percent -- a fact which would have been front and center on the evening news in former President Bill Clinton's day.

"Instead of trumpeting the amazing 'Bush economy,' TV news has downplayed this recent good news while hyping the bad news of rising fuel costs," the analysis states. It also found the network coverage steeped in drama.

"All three networks employed loaded language in the promotional teases," which emphasized consumer angst. The stories, in fact, included 151 dramatic consumer complaints during the study period. The analysis also cited "skyrocketing" and "soaring" as the adjectives of choice for prices, and "pain at the pump" as the most-repeated phrase.

NBC was the worst offender, airing 79 negative gas stories, ABC followed with 59 and CBS with 45.

Reed off and running

Ralph Reed, who's running for lieutenant governor of Georgia, has reported that Microsoft Corp. paid his public relations and lobbying firm $1.6 million over five years.

In a financial-disclosure statement filed in Georgia, the former head of the Christian Coalition said his company, Century Strategies, received five payments ranging from $240,000 to more than $572,000 each year from 2001 to 2005, primarily for lobbying efforts on behalf of Microsoft in international trade and competition issues, according to the Associated Press.