Originally Posted By: paramedicpete

In fact the news coverage likely has accomplished more initially in helping the Haitian people than many of the other efforts underway.


This effect was demonstrated when the Burma regime refused U.N. aid and international reporters access after hurricane "Nargis" in 2008 (I've heard estimates of about 60.000 casualties after that one). Some organizations were granted access, but fund raising was noticeably harder for this catastrophe versus others. Main reason is likely no on-site media coverage.