In Gotham, the TV Anchor is King (or Queen)

The Dark Knight does a lot of things differently from the other superhero comics we've read, but one unique way which doesn't have to do with art style but rather the composition of the story comes up once and again throughout the book. Miller chooses to use news reporters, encased in TV screen shaped panels to advance the plot. They aren't the omnipotent narrators with their words encased in odd-colored boxes as we've seen in past comics, as Batman still narrates his own thoughts and actions. However, they are still much more than regular narrators, and the way they tell the plot and story of Batman has a completely different effect.

 The TV reporters in Dark Knight not only advance the plot but provide important contextual information as well. They also foreshadow important events, and key readers in on the feelings around the city (which are often fear, anger, and happiness, or mixes of the three). Sometimes, they even give insights into characters, such as on pg. 93 when the newsman reports that the old Mayor had died and they were cutting to the new Mayor, Mayor Stevenson. When the newsman reports this, he says as silence has fallen over Gotham, only to be broken by the words of "Deputy Mayor--excuse me--Mayor Stevenson". This gives insight into the abruptness and quickness of danger and death in Gotham, as soon as one Mayor goes down, the next is there to take his place, whether he's qualified or wants to do so or not.

It's obvious that Miller is making a statement with his portrayal of the media in the book (just like he is for basically every other plot and character choice he makes). The news media panels are pervasive in the story, butting in and covering up larger panels. They often make up large parts of the page, possibly a comment by Miller about how much of the news we get is in fact covering up what is really happening. They make judgements and speculation, just as "Lola" does about what Batman is up to on page 11. This is possibly a comment about where news has come, focusing less on the actual facts and more on commentary and speculations made by people who have no right to do so. The sad part is, that Miller didn't even really have to satirize the news media to make a comment on it because these are the harsh realities of our news today: pervasive, speculatory, and ready to shine a camera in whoever's face will get them a story.