The Pew Research Center's Weekly News Index and News Coverage comparison for 2011 showed that the media and the public were often in sync about their interests. The only times news coverage exceeded public respect was in the coverage of foreign issues--the U.K. hacking scandal (July 21-24) and Dominique Strauss-Kahn's arrest (May 19-22). The times when news coverage fell below the public's interest in news was on two instances--gas and oil prices (Apr 28-May 1) and when a helicopter crash in Afghanistan killed 30 troops (Aug 11-14.)
I thought it was interesting that the public and media opinion about what's important news differed with respect to foreign news. Studies have shown that the media guides public opinion. But it this case it appears to be the opposite. Here are some charts mapping news coverage and news interest. All figures are from the Pew Center's website.
I thought it was interesting that the public and media opinion about what's important news differed with respect to foreign news. Studies have shown that the media guides public opinion. But it this case it appears to be the opposite. Here are some charts mapping news coverage and news interest. All figures are from the Pew Center's website.
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