Networks Minimize Coverage of Anti-Socialist Protests in Venezuela

ABC, CBS, and NBC have largely punted in covering the protests against the leftist government in Venezuela. Since 17 February 2014, only NBC Nightly News has devoted a full report on the demonstrations in the South American country. Altogether, NBC has aired just over two minutes of reporting on the story. Brian Williams also stood out for explicitly mentioning the political ideology of the regime: "Many...are feeling increasingly let down by the socialist government."

The network's Big Three competitors trail far behind in their coverage, with CBS only mentioning the protests during a 24-second news brief on the 19 February 2014 edition of CBS This Morning. The network's evening newscast, CBS Evening News, has yet to cover the story. ABC has devoted three news briefs on its morning and evening newscasts since Wednesday, for a total of 52 seconds of air time.