NPR: National Public Radio

The National Public Radio (NPR) strives to allocate recent news to it's viewers. A private and non-profit organization, NPR provides non-commercial news coverage, talk-show programs, and entertainment based programs to many listeners each week. NPR has gained international success and receives 27.5 million viewers each week. Listeners can listen to NPR through radio programing as well as on-line programming. Online, NPR provides their listeners with radio, pod-casts, community, and mobile services. I found NPR'S online-website to be very informative and effective for their listeners.

Today (April 29), NPR had broadcasted a variety of stories. The major breaking story provided on the network had regarded The Swine Flu Virus story. According to the broadcast, The World Health Organization (WHO) had moved the Pandemic Flu Level to a five today. On this scale, a five represents that the virus will soon turn into a widespread pandemic. The virus has now effected a dozen of countries. In the US, 94 cases have been detected. The symptoms are mild to moderate, thus making it hard to detect the virus. In the United States, one child has died due to the virus. The network recommends that people constantly wash their hands and avoid those who are sick.

The program continued on to report on the United States economic system. Although the system is weak, household spending has begun to "stabilize." In New Hampshire, same sex marriage has become legalized. The network raps up their report by providing their listeners with information regarding the release of several detainees in Gautama Bay and the recent death of four soldiers in Baghdad. In conclusion, the report provided much more information about The Swine Virus than the other stories that they provided.

Many networks like NPR are strictly providing more information regarding the virus. Since this is a recent and world-wide story, the coverage of The Swine Flu Virus will continue on for some time. Though it is important to cover the story, it is now being covered every hour. Even after listening to the NPR and other news programs, I feel that I really don't know anything about the symptoms and effects of The Swine Flu Virus. But since the virus is at an early stage, I will just have to keep my eyes and ears open for more information regarding the virus.

May The Force Be With You,

Lauren