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News Media Trends

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    Campaign for President Takes Center Stage in Coverage

    In the second quarter of 2007, the presidential campaign supplanted the debate over Iraq as the No. 1 story in the media. Barack Obama overtook Hillary Clinton as the candidate getting the most attention. And Republicans began to catch up with Democrats in exposure. PEJ offers a 2nd quarter report on the media.

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    Two Decades of American News Preferences

    Despite dramatic structural changes in the news media since the 1980s, the interests of news audiences have changed very little over the past several decades. Disaster News and Money News have been at the top of the charts throughout, while Tabloid News and Foreign News have been at the bottom. In this first of two reports, Pew Research Center consultant Michael Robinson analyzes data from 165 surveys on audience preferences taken by the PRC (and predecessor organizations) since 1986.

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    How Did The Media React to Bonds’ Blast?

    San Francisco Giant slugger Barry Bonds became baseball’s all-time home run king on Aug 7. But allegations of steroid use have triggered a fierce debate in the sports world over the meaning and validity of his record. A PEJ evaluation of the coverage in more than 40 newspapers sheds some light on the sportswriters’ response to Bonds’ feat.

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    Broad Interest in Bridge Disaster, Good Marks for Coverage

    Summary of Findings The bridge collapse in Minneapolis that killed five people and raised concerns about infrastructure safety nationwide surpassed all other news stories last week both in public interest and media coverage. Nearly half (48%) say this was the story they followed most closely last week, far exceeding interest in Iraq, the week’s next […]

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    Internet News Audience Highly Critical of News Organizations

    Summary of Findings The American public continues to fault news organizations for a number of perceived failures, with solid majorities criticizing them for political bias, inaccuracy and failing to acknowledge mistakes. But some of the harshest indictments of the press now come from the growing segment that relies on the internet as its main source […]

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    Public Blames Media for Too Much Celebrity Coverage

    Summary of Findings An overwhelming majority of the public (87%) says celebrity scandals receive too much news coverage. This criticism generally holds across most major demographic and political groups. Virtually no one thinks there is too little coverage of celebrity scandals. When asked who is most to blame for the amount of coverage these kinds […]

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    Publisher Murdoch’s U.S. Track Record

    With the drawn-out approval of Rupert Murdoch's bid for the Wall Street Journal finally in, attention turns to what he will make of the paper. Starting back in the early 70’s the global media magnate began investing in a series of American newspapers. How did those publications do? Here’s a scorecard.

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    Is the Fairness Doctrine Fair Game?

    The rule requiring broadcasters to balance views aired on controversial subjects was repealed 20 years ago. Yet in recent weeks, debate about the Fairness Doctrine has re-emerged in media circles — especially on talk radio.

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    Is The Fairness Doctrine Fair Game?

    It’s been off the books since the FCC repealed it two decades ago. But an old rule regulating content on the airwaves has suddenly become a topic on Capitol Hill and on the talk radio circuit. Is the Fairness Doctrine really headed for a comeback?