This is a major story. I expect the the chattering classes to spend a lot of time on it, especially the cable shows.
Pew Survey: "Overwhelming American Dissatisfaction" With News Media
MEDIABISTRO
In Studies, Surveys And Research
The NYT lead is negative: "The latest survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press has found overwhelming American dissatisfaction with the news media, with a rising number of people saying that the press is 'too critical of America.'"
Broadcasting & Cable's lead is less downtroden: "Americans' favorable views of TV and other news outlets continue to slip, but the media is still doing a better job winning over the public than President Bush the Supreme Court, Congress or other public institutions."
As Jeff Jarvis says, "now that's a case of damning with faint praise if I've ever heard it."
Pew Survey: Where Do You Get Your News?
In Studies, Surveys And Research
People in the Pew study who said they get most of their news about national and international issues from television were also asked to identify the specific networks they watch most often. Their responses:
CNN: 18%
Fox News: 16%
Local news: 13%
ABC News: 12%
NBC News: 12%
CBS News: 9%
MSNBC: 5%
CNBC: 2%
While CNN still ranks #1, (giving Roger Ailes another reason to declare that Pew is a "liberal lobbying organization"), its audience share has declined in the Pew study. In January 2002, 28% of respondents said CNN was the network they got their news from most often; It declined to 26% in August 2003 and 20% by December 2004. A similar trend is evident for MSNBC, which peaked in July 2003 with 9%.
"Pew Survey: Reporters Or Commentators?
Pew respondents were asked:"Tell me if you think these organizations mostly report the facts about recent news developments, or mostly give their opinions about the news."
Cable news: 45% of respondents said cable news networks mostly report the facts; 29% said they mostly give their opinions about the news. 8% said both, 1% said neither, and 17% didn't know.
Network evening news: 53% of respondents said evening news programs mostly report the facts; 31% said they mostly give their opinions about the news. 6% said both, 1% said neither, and 9% didn't know.
Network morning news: 39% of respondents said network morning news shows mostly report the facts; 33% said they mostly give their opinions about the news. 5% said both, 1% said neither, and 22% didn't know.
Local news: 61% of respondents said the local TV news mostly reports the facts; 25% said they mostly give their opinions about the news. 6% said both, 1% said neither, and 7% didn't know. "
mediabistro.com |
