[Publius6961]

Another factor that could be limiting media reports of the death toll is the banning of news helicopters from the area. What you can't see, you can't report.

I can'r possibly understand the reasoning behind this. The only thing that makes sense is panic at the potential documentation of incompetence by those presumably in charge.

On the other side of the coin, haven't news helicopters in the past actually helped to save lives?
A "not in their job description" activity I admire and endorse.

[diogenes ghost]

"Banning news helicopters.." Perhaps in some areas, but an R44 from WLBT showed a lot of beachfront video from the Gulfport/Biloxi area. Viewable at wlbt.com, also seen on MSNBC.

[olde north church]

I'm not endorsing the uninterrupted flight of news orgs over disaster areas. My point was about the lack of "independent" verification of the posted info. That's it. Do I need further explanation?

As a matter of fact, it's not as if the national media doesn't have a history of quashing or fabricating news as it sees fit. "Cigar, Mr. President?", "Whoops, sorry about that blue dress, hon!"