I believe the news, while at times dramatic, plays an important role in these types of storms. While you may think it is pathetic, it is our only view into the storm. Frankly there use to be a time when the news media put their people in harms way, and everyone was horrified. I frankly think it is responsible for them to not put people in harms way to get a story. What makes people not want to evacuate is not the news, but inconveniences like 30 hour traffic jams, no fuel, etc. I can honestly tell you I have been there, done that.

As far as their coverage, all I can say is thank god for them. If it wasnt for the news media more people in New Orleans would have dehydrated and starved to death. If it wasnt for the news media more people would have died. If it wasnt for the media, people all over the world would not have an insight to just how dangerous and devestating hurricanes can be and less people would have evacuated Texas and Louisianna. If it wasnt for the media, noone would have known people were/are in need, and the donations would not have been as good as they are.

While the media does have some issues, I do not think they deserve the critizism you provided them. When it comes to storm coverage, they are our only eyes and ears. If you really think someone should be at ground zero of the hurricane, I am sure they are looking for volunteers.

I am sorry if I seem curt, I just know that during Andrew , and when my home and all of my 7 days worth of supplies (water, ice, food) got swept away , we had to wait 4-5 days for George Bush Sr to act (seems to run in the family) and he did so as a result of media pressure. Unless you have ever been effected by a Major Hurricane, its hard to imagine just how important the media can be.