Broadcast networks spent more time covering the death of a 3-month old orca then the impending death of 11-month old Charlie Gard on Tuesday morning.
According to a study by the Media Research Center, ABC, CBS and NBC spent three minutes and 17 seconds on the death of the last orca born into captivity, compared to just two minutes and 14 seconds on the decision by Charlie Gard’s parents to end their legal battle.
Gard was diagnosed with a rare mitochondrial condition when he was born and was surviving on life support. Courts ruled that Gard’s parents could not decide against doctors to continue his care or move him to the United States to seek experimental treatment, essentially sentencing the infant to death.
On Monday, Gard’s parents decided to drop their legal challenge and allow their son to die because his condition had depleted even further during the months-long battle.
ABC, CBS, and NBC apparently found the baby killer whale to be worth an entire minute more in coverage than Gard. The orca was the last one born into captivity and died due to an infection it contracted at SeaWorld.
NBC didn’t mention Charlie Gard once, meaning the entire two minutes and 14 seconds of coverage came from ABC and CBS.