Ask CBS News: Does Media Affect Economy?

In our ongoing "Ask CBS News" segment, we answered a question about Friday's report from the Commerce Department that the recession was deeper than previously thought.

Recession Was Deeper Than Previously Thought

Viewers can leave questions on "CBS Evening News" Anchor Katie Couric's Twitter page or the CBS News Facebook page.

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A viewer asked: "How much of a role do you think the media itself, more specifically the constant negative reporting of the economy by the media, is to blame?"

CBS News Correspondent Anthony Mason answered that the negative news certainly contributes to the mood, but this pessimism really came from the near-death financial experience the country endured. Just as the optimism of the housing boom was probably inflated, the pessimism is probably excessive now too.

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