Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Presidential Election Tops the News as Key Primaries Approach

PEJ News Coverage Index February 20-26, 2012

The Project for Excellence in Journalism did not publish a news index report this week. However, the data is available here.

February 20 – 26, 2012

Overall (All 5 Sectors)

Rank Story Percent of Newshole
1 2012 Presidential Election 29%
2 Middle East Unrest 9
3 Economy 7
4 Gas/Oil Prices 4
5 Afghanistan 3
6 Iran 3
7 Abortion Controversy 2
8 Education System 2
9 Avalanche in WA 2

Newspapers

Rank Story Percent of Newshole
1 2012 Presidential Election 17%
2 Economy 13
3 Middle East Unrest 6
4 Education System 6
5 Afghanistan 4
6 Health Care Debate 4
7 European Economy 3
8 Avalanche in WA 3
9 UVA Lacrosse Murder 3

Online

Rank Story Percent of Newshole
1 2012 Presidential Election 24%
2 Economy 11
3 Middle East Unrest 10
4 Iraq War – Events on the Ground 3
5 European Economy 3
6 Oscar Awards 3
7 SCOTUS Actions 2
8 Terror Threats/ Homeland Security 2
9 Iran 2

Network TV

Rank Story Percent of Newshole
1 2012 Presidential Election 22%
2 Middle East Unrest 9
3 Gas/Oil Prices 6
4 Avalanche in WA 4
5 Economy 4
6 Afghanistan 4
7 Oscar Awards 4
8 Whitney Houston Dies 3
9 Cyberspace Issues 3

Cable TV

Rank Story Percent of Newshole
1 2012 Presidential Election 45%
2 Middle East Unrest 11
3 Gas/Oil Prices 8
4 Iran 8
5 Afghanistan 5
6 Abortion Controversy 4
7 Economy 3
8 Immigration Debate 2
9 Fatal USMC Helo Crash in AZ 1

Radio

Rank Story Percent of Newshole
1 2012 Presidential Election 42%
2 Middle East Unrest 7
3 Health Care Debate 4
4 Economy 4
5 Gas/Oil Prices 3
6 Afghanistan 3
7 Jeremy Lin News 3
8 China 3
9 Russia 3
Icon for promotion number 1

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

Fresh data delivery Saturday mornings

Icon for promotion number 1

Sign up for The Briefing

Weekly updates on the world of news & information