I would also like to add,

A large reason for our "US"centric news is also because the US is a huge country. We are isolated from Europe, Asia, etc. as such, their news seems very far removed.
Granted we are also not very interested in Canada or Mexico either as their news has little effect on us.

Now lets take a step back. When the Tsunami hit, it had little to nothing to do with the U.S. But we all watched, our hearts broke, etc.
When the earthquake in Pakistan hit, we were there. When bombings occured in the subways and when Muslim's protested all over Europe because of the Mohammed cartoon, we tuned in.

-- So, lets just say, the world news media catches our attention when big things happen. I think what we mostly miss is PSEuDO EVENTS (events that appear to look like news, but in reality are not. Example: A press conference. A debate. In reality, these peseudo events have so little effect on Americans so far away that we don't really care about the politics of France. We have our own issues much closer to home.

But to say we are completely tuned out of world news is a bit of an exaggeration. Yes, we might not care who Prince Albert is kanoodling with. But we sure did care when Princess D was chased and killed by Paparazzi.

So, even though I agree with some of what was said originally, there are other reasons beside's "Ugly Americans"..
Lets face it, we have enough of our problems here, we don't really need to get hyper involved with your problems over there. And if we did, you would probably just tell us to mind our own business and stop meadling in the affairs of other countries.

Damned if you do.. Damned if you don't..

B

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"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss