The 2016 presidential media primary is off to a fast start

The recent news that CNN and NBC have canceled projects about the life of Hillary Clinton after pressure from both sides of the political spectrum is one more indication that the maneuvering in advance of the 2016 presidential election is already underway -- more than three years before voters go to the polls.

Presidential campaign coverage always seems to start early, and perhaps more so this year. The 2016 election has received more media coverage this year than either the 2012 or 2008 campaigns received during comparable time frames, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of major US newspapers. And thus far in 2013, the potential candidate generating the most coverage is former Secretary of State, Senator and First Lady Hillary Clinton.