Media hype and tabloid journalism contributed to an exaggerated picture of what happened during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The real story is coming out now, but some of the damage may already have been done as the federal response is largely framed on the media perpetrated assumption that it failed, argues Matt Stinson.

The other area where the media have gone in overdrive – with a similar impact on policy and long term perceptions – is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Richard Brandes who has set up a website dealing solely with this issue is now guestblogging at Solomonia where he shares some of his ideas about the subject.

The launch of Pajamas Media is getting closer and the opportunity it has, judging from just these two examples, is phenomenal.