U.S. TV covered less overseas news in '08

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A media analyst says foreign affairs will be the wild card for U.S. television networks as they refocus their nightly newscasts in 2009.

Andrew Tyndall, who runs Tyndall Report.com, told MediaLife that overseas news slackened in 2008 as the violence in Iraq simmered down and Americans became consumed with the economy and the U.S. presidential campaign.

The networks are expected to continue their focus on the economy and other domestic issues such as health and green technology. These topics could dominate barring a flare up of fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq.

The Internet could provide a more economical means for covering international news, Tyndall said. Digital technology will allow solo roving foreign correspondents to provide words and video from far-flung locations at costs far below those required maintaining permanent overseas news bureaus.

Tyndall said 2008 saw the level of coverage of U.S. foreign policy slide considerably during the election year to around 15 minutes per week compared to 45 minutes a year ago.