We often discuss the way that big media cuts costs by cutting the number of journalists, and focusing more on "infotainment" than real investigative reporting.

However, recently Alan D. Mutter, in his blog, pointed out the ways in which this practice endangers not only public discourse but also human lives. In a blog post entitled "Ground those TV choppers" he writes:

"The senseless death of four helicopter newsmen in Phoenix underscores the stupidity and wastefulness of broadcasters who squander their precious resources on cheap chopper chases instead of more worthy pursuits."

He insists that news outlets ought to be spending their money getting more reporting on the ground not more in the air. The whole blog post can be read here:

http://newsosaur.blogspot.com/2007/07/ground-those-tv-choppers.html