Sal posted "But then that's not what the safety nazis(newspaper writers) want you to read. They'd rather focus their attention on the legal rider instead of the law breaking cager. It helps them to get their agenda across."
You'd be surprised how decisions are often made in the newsroom, and how stories are shaped. The isn't often an agenda... most times you are just looking to fill your time/space with something that'll keep eyes glued to your station/paper... but there is a problem with writers/reporters using conventional wisdom and falling back on that to focus the story. With papers it is a bit different but most are simply reprinting stuff off the wire services without much editing.
The initial reaction for a common person off the street (non motorcycle rider) seeing this accident is "he should have worn a helmet and he wouldn't have been hurt" and that is reflected in the stories about the incident. I'll bet there are a few motorcycle riders in various newsrooms around the country screaming the same thing ... "it was the cager's fault" ... and those riders/reporters will do what they can to follow up this Ben story with motorcycle safety stories, explanations of the facts etc. But most reporters don't ride and they don't think like riders. Could the national stories have put more effort into finding educated riders who would have pointed out the responsibility of the cager? Sure... but it takes time, effort, the willingness of someone to respond in a timely manner... and on deadline you run what you have, not what you want.
You might be surprised at how receptive some local stations/newspapers can be. Call em up. Ask for the Assignment desk. BE POLITE. Remember you want to help get your story out, not just bust their bells because you don't like the story they've already told. Tell them you've got a story idea that is timely and you can help. Volunteer to talk about how enjoyable motorcycling is and how often cagers just don't see us for any of a number of reasons. Maybe your dealer would talk, or someone at your local Motorcycle Safety Course. If you have a club/group/RAT ride coming up, see if a reporter or cameraperson would like to come along for the ride. If not maybe you have tape of your rides... offer it up so they have good video to use. Is it a guarantee that you'll see "motorcycling is great.. news at six"? Nope... but it is a step in the right direction. Maybe they don't bite at the story this week, but next week, or next month when it is slow and someone is looking for a story, your name will be there and you might get that call.
