News in Review: Friday, February 24, 2023
What does the news landscape look like?
The train derailment story continues to grow its share of coverage, largely driven by attention from conservative outlets. The Ukraine and 2024 GOP race stories round out the top three. They are followed by a series of smaller stories with similar shares. Alex Murdaugh and Harvey Weinstein entered the top ten stories yesterday.
This is how the top stories were covered on each side of the media yesterday:
Train derailment (42% more on the right)
Ukraine / Russia / China / Biden (8% more on the right)
2024 GOP race (27% more on the left)
Media bias ratings are from AllSides.
This is how articles from liberal and conservative outlets were distributed over the past five days amongst the top stories.
Liberal outlets used these words more than conservative outlets:
pence (5.4x)
alex (2x)
mccarthy (1.7x)
Conservative outlets used these words more than liberal outlets:
china (3.2x)
buttigieg (2.4x)
secretary (2.3x)
What is happening in the top stories?
Now for a deep dive into our top three stories, starting with…
Train derailment
The White House is calling on congressional Republicans to increase fines on rail companies for safety violations in response to a train derailment in Ohio.
The derailment has become a political lightning rod between Democrats and Republicans.
The Biden administration has faced criticism from many Republicans for its response to the derailment.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has announced a package of reforms to improve safety and hold the railroad accountable for any safety violations.
The Department of Transportation is also providing medical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate and counsel those experiencing symptoms.
Ukraine / Russia / China / Biden
China wants to prevent the Russia-Ukraine crisis from getting out of control and is calling for dialogue and negotiation to resolve the crisis.
China has refrained from condemning Russia and has criticized Western sanctions on Russia.
Russia has announced plans to deploy new Sarmat multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missiles this year and suspended Russia’s participation in the START nuclear arms control treaty.
Russian President Vladimir Putin suspended Moscow’s participation in the last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the U.S. and reiterated a litany of grievances that the Russian leader has frequently offered as justification for his actions.
2024 GOP race
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took aim at some Republicans while speaking about a new legislative proposal in response to President Joe Biden’s “border crisis.”
A recent poll from the Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll showed that nearly half of Republican voters chose Trump as their pick for the 2024 GOP presidential primary.
Donald Trump recently mocked Ron DeSantis for the relatively small attendance at a police union event in New York.