Hallin and Mancini find cultural differences between the US and Italy in the way news stories are presented. News stories in Italy were found to have a more open construction than their American equivalents, and, therefore, invite more political talk. Again, different cultures provide a range of such situations. In an activists group which constraints members to deliberate on and formulate their external rhetoric within acceptable roles. During the intifada I was a member in such a group.
Political talk depends on the degree to which the society is politicized.
This has nothing to do with expertise and everything to do with values and morals. Media can only reflect the political culture in which it operates. In the US political discussion is carried out only on cable, or late at night on the networks, and, even then, the discussion focuses almost entirely on strategics rather than on policies. If one takes Schudson's model of political talk seriously, democracy is in real trouble. This kind of negotiation demands wholly different talents from the first.