1. Trends in News Consumption in the U.S.
Unit 5:
Mass Media

2. 1. Trend over time
Newspaper began in 1780s, really boomed post Civil War due to industrialization  Radio in 1920s, by 1930s Newspaper declines, radio takes hold  TV in 1950s, but really booms for news with Vietnam & Watergate late 1960s & early 1970s with major network & network news leading the broadcasting era; newspaper continues declining with radio behind  Cable begins narrowcasting with likes of CNN in 1980s & 1990s; newspaper down, radio down, some major network TV news down  Internet comes on the scene in late 1990s, newspaper almost dead, radio weak, major network down, cable news popular, internet blogs/sites on rise

3. A. Most popular sources of news
TV 66% (seeing is still believing)
Internet 41% and rising
Newspaper 31% and declining

4. B. What sources more/less popular
More Popular:
Internet
Cable News
Less Popular:
Newspaper
Radio
Nightly news network
Local TV news

5. C. Result of decline of network news shows
More narrowcasting, more partisan or group oriented networks & shows only telling one side of the story:
More Media Bias!

6. D. Difference in age & news-gathering habits
18-24:
evenly distributed across online, radio, TV
overall lowest levels for all sources
Newspaper the least used source
25-34:
TV leads, Internet follows, with radio last
a bit more involvement than previous group
35-49:
TV is king, Radio follows, online third & newspaper last
This group there at beginning of TV generation, medium to high involvement
50-64 & 65 to infinity:
More traditional TV followed by Newspaper with radio third & most current internet last, very high involvement

7. e. How many choose to not read news?
In 2008:
19%
an increase of 5% from 1998 to 2008
Generally for all ages except for 50 to 64
3/5 age categories by sharp amount

8. F. Diff between GOP vs. Dem. & TV news
Republicans:
Most Stick to FOX strongly
Smaller % spread it out evenly
Democrats:
More evenly with stronger viewing all around
Independents:
Much more evenly spread out among all sources

9. G. Do American trust news source? Which the least? GOP/DEM?
Generally, yes! 60% to 70% trust level
Least: Newshour, FOX news, BBC & CBS
Most: CNN, 60 Minutes, local TV news
Republicans:
FOX = 34%, WSJ = 29%, Local TV = 27%
Democrats:
60 minutes, NPR, CNN, Newshour, Local news

10. H. Impact of polarization of American news media
Media Bias!
One side of story only told!
Citizens not well informed!

11. I. Levels of education & news gathering habits etc…
Less involvement w/news if lower education, opposite as well, TV most popular
Socioeconomic status:
The wealthier the more involved & opposite as well
Race:
White uses more of print media
Minorities more TV driven
Voter turnout:
White has highest involvement & voter turnout

12. J. Households W/Highest/lowest access to Internet & ramifications?
Least access:
Incomes less than $35,000
Usually 25 years or younger
Most access:
Incomes over $35,000 with most to those over $150,000
Usually older, male, w/some to full college degrees
The ones w/least access meet profile of those least likely to vote!

13. Summary
Trends:
Declining news audiences, especially among young audiences
Differences among levels of SES in news readership and access to cable & internet
Declining newspapers, declining radio
Narrowcasting has led to polarization of news
Rise in cable news & internet news
However, in all categories TV still leads, but mainly cable & local news & not major networks!