# Are the "99" percent protestors getting too much press coverage? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 18, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008 "2011-10-18T04:09:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/1 "2011-10-18T04:09:16Z")
Per the title, is the US and world media giving too much air time to what appears to be a very small group? In Chicago the protestors by the Chicago Boatd of Trade number less than a hundred and even their biggest rally in Chicago only attracted 2,000 or so people. Compare it with the media coverage that say the immigration rallies received and it seems disproportional. Thoughts? (darn iPad, title should read protestors). ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/2 "2011-10-18T06:25:49Z")
The Tea Partiers got at least as much coverage, though they were sponsored by Fox. This movement appears to be truly spontaneous, and is springing up all over the country. I suspect that news people have been wondering when the masses of people screwed by the banks would finally get fed up, and they probably want to be more or less in on the ground floor of something that may be big. ---
**Author:** ![New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9d8465/32.png) [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/3 "2011-10-18T06:44:24Z")
Initially the press ignored the Wall Street protesters. Not too long ago I read a poll that said that half the country had not heard of them. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/4 "2011-10-18T12:29:08Z")
How does one determine the proper amount of press coverage that a protest should get? IIRC, the immigration rallies were one day events, not weeks to months long protests. And I don’t think the media paid too much attention until the movement spread to other cities. Right now, it’s a novelty, and so it shouldn’t be too surprising that it’s getting a lot of coverage (seems to be the lead-in story every night on the news now). But wait a few more weeks and see what happens. Unless there’s something new, people are going to lose interest. Remember that whacky lady who protested outside Bush’s Texas home for about a month while he was president? That was one person (joined by maybe a handful more), and she was on the news every night. But that was August, the press was sitting around in Crawford Texas with little to do other than put a camera and a microphone in front of her. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Smashy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mr\_Smashy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Smashy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/5 "2011-10-18T13:04:25Z")
A lot of people think that the Occupy movements are mostly a construction of the media. Some conservatives have talked about how liberal writers have been coaching the protesters about how to get more, and more favorable, coverage (? - not sure this is true, just something I heard). Certainly,[if you just consider the numbers](http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/10/17/kelly-mcparland-occupy-protests-excite-the-media-more-than-the-middle-class/), the kids doing the chanting are getting a disproportionate amount of attention, vs other events (including spontaneous, true grass roots efforts like the Tea Party). ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/6 "2011-10-18T13:23:24Z")
> [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > … the kids doing the chanting are getting a disproportionate amount of attention, vs other events (including spontaneous, true grass roots efforts like the Tea Party). How is this phenomenon less spontaneous and “grass roots” than the Tea Party movement? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/7 "2011-10-18T13:34:19Z")
> [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > A lot of people think that the Occupy movements are mostly a construction of the media. Some conservatives have talked about how liberal writers have been coaching the protesters about how to get more, and more favorable, coverage (? - not sure this is true, just something I heard). “A lot of people think” “Some conservatives have talked” Excuse me if this does not sway me to your point of view. > [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > Certainly,[if you just consider the numbers](http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/10/17/kelly-mcparland-occupy-protests-excite-the-media-more-than-the-middle-class/), the kids doing the chanting are getting a disproportionate amount of attention, vs other events (including spontaneous, true grass roots efforts like the Tea Party). Noted conservative paper in Canada tries to play down the protests. And they may have a point. In Canada. The economy is doing better, the banks were MUCH better regulated and the financial crisis was not as bad. So naturally the public is not as mad. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/8 "2011-10-18T13:42:40Z")
> [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > (including spontaneous, true grass roots efforts like the Tea Party). [Huh?](http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200904060023) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/9 "2011-10-18T13:43:53Z")
> [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > Certainly,[if you just consider the numbers](http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/10/17/kelly-mcparland-occupy-protests-excite-the-media-more-than-the-middle-class/), the kids doing the chanting are getting a disproportionate amount of attention, vs other events (including spontaneous, true grass roots efforts like the Tea Party). Ah, yes. “Your guys” = “too much coverage and a coached set of responses.” “My guys” = “spontaneous grass roots movement.” Gotcha. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/10 "2011-10-18T13:49:15Z")
> [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > vs other events (including spontaneous, true grass roots efforts like the Tea Party). You’re joking, right? ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/11 "2011-10-18T13:55:18Z")
> [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > A lot of people think that the Occupy movements are mostly a construction of the media. Some conservatives have talked about how liberal writers have been coaching the protesters about how to get more, and more favorable, coverage **(? - not sure this is true, just something I heard)**. Well, that’s certainly an unimpeachable cite. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/12 "2011-10-18T13:56:11Z")
> [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > A lot of people think that the Occupy movements are mostly a construction of the media. Some conservatives have talked about how liberal writers have been coaching the protesters about how to get more, and more favorable, coverage (? - not sure this is true, just something I heard). The 99ers aren’t even trying to hide it. I saw a news report yesterday where one of the organizers of the NYC protests gathered a bunch of donations of suits and haircuts to make the protesters look more professional. This is a good thing, not something to clutch your pearls over. > [@Mr\_Smashy](#): > > Certainly,[if you just consider the numbers](http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/10/17/kelly-mcparland-occupy-protests-excite-the-media-more-than-the-middle-class/), the kids doing the chanting are getting a disproportionate amount of attention, vs other events (including spontaneous, true grass roots efforts like the Tea Party). Ha! It’s so adorable that you believe the Tea Party was a grassroots organization. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/13 "2011-10-18T14:11:23Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > How does one determine the proper amount of press coverage that a protest should get? Ideologically. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/14 "2011-10-18T14:24:40Z")
Well, the Occupy Oakland protest got a big media boost with a celebrity appearance by The World’s Stupidest Hikers yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/15 "2011-10-18T14:35:07Z")
But if the press didn’t cover them so much how would you able to make fun of them? ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/16 "2011-10-18T14:41:02Z")
I think the phenomenon is newsworthy. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/17 "2011-10-18T15:18:01Z")
They aren’t getting enough, here at least - there’s a bunch of people camped out at the State House locally since Saturday, and they’ve gotten a bit of coverage, mostly positive, but not as much as the injured football player has. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/18 "2011-10-18T15:26:37Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Ha! It’s so adorable that you believe the Tea Party was a grassroots organization. Be fair. It’s one of those gene-lab hybridized deals. They actually managed to cross-breed grass with astroturf. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/19 "2011-10-18T19:49:25Z")
I’m starting to think that they are getting too much attention. Walked by the protests on the corner of Jackson and LaSalle (here in Chicago) and they numbered less than 50. Seems like it’s peetering out (at least here in Chicago). The interesting question is whether they will influence the ballot box. The Tea Party clearly did (for better or for worse is up to you). ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008/20 "2011-10-18T20:03:59Z")
Attendance is dropping with the temperature in Denver. 36° F last night, “about 40” protesters per the Denver Post. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008.md?page=2)