In such an environment, news of crime and violence play well, because it both entertains and validates stereotypes, while public or institutional news about the region doesn't stand much of a chance, since it's not likely to be relevant to many viewers. Less than 6 percent of South Floridians use public transportation. Contrast this situation with Boston's, where for all of the legendary racial tensions, city news still matters to many citizens. Relative to Miami, Boston has strong civic traditions, thriving social networks, and popular public activities. As a result, Bostonians are more likely to reject tabloid news and demand information about their city and state from their nightly local news.
Trouble is, the rest of the nation looks more like Miami and less like Boston every day.
What the 1994 Almanac of American Politics says about Florida is particularly true of the Miami area. Cities such as Houston, Denver, or Los Angeles don't have vibrant downtowns to serve as economic anchors or cultural centers that might foster common identity. The political profiles of these cities are familiar, too. As in South Florida, many of America's new growth centers have paved the road to prosperity with low tax rates, undercutting social services in the name of attracting business. This political culture creates an environment in which people feel little connection to government and, as such, little interest in news about it.