Reporting from the G-20 focussed on two things: The changes taking place in global economics and the demonstrators.
Local coverage of the event focussed on the demonstrators and (understandably) the disruption of traffic due to the summit.
Yet here was an excellent opportunity for the local media to look at how Pittsburgh fits into the global picture. The city re-invented itself from grimy steel town to high-tech city. And lots of that new growth is becuase small and medium sized companies in Pittsburgh have some sort of relationship with overseas’ partners.
Yet, that did not appear in the Pittsburgh media.
This was truly a lost opportunity by the local media to step up and do some serious reporting that serves the public. They missed it.
There are lots of ways domestic journalists can cover international-related issues. It just takes some thought and some understanding that there is more to international trade than just lost jobs and angry demonstrators. Oh, and it takes editors and reporters willing to take a few steps outside their comfort zones.