Fueled by strong coverage from cable and radio, the presidential election was the number one story for the week of 4/9-4/15, according to the latest survey from the Project for Excellence in Journalism. The presidential beat out coverage of the Trayvon Martin shooting 22%-17%. No other story made it into double digits.
Cable, as is generally the case, led the way on the #1 story with 38% of its time dedicated to it, followed by radio with 29%. Network TV was the only medium to put the election #2, giving the week to the Martin story over the election by an 18%-12% margin.
Four of the top 10 stories involved news from abroad – North Korea, the Middle East generally, Iran and China all had a spot on the overall top ten list.
Story | Overall | Nwspr | Online | NetTV | CATV | Radio |
2012 presidential election | 22% | 12% | 18% | 12% | 38% | 29% |
Trayvon Martin shooting | 17% | 9% | 12% | 18% | 35% | 10% |
Economy | 6% | 9% | 6% | 3% | 4% | 6% |
North Korean news | 5% | x | 8% | 8% | 5% | 3% |
Middle East unrest | 4% | x | 8% | 5% | 2% | 4% |
Health care debate | 4% | 11% | x | x | x | 8% |
Mike Wallace dies | 3% | 8% | x | 6% | x | x |
Apple news | 3% | x | 5% | 3% | x | x |
Iran | 2% | x | 3% | x | 3% | 3% |
China | 2% | 7% | 2% | x | x | x |
Titanic Centennial | x | 4% | x | 2% | x | x |
Education system | x | 4% | x | x | x | x |
2012 non-pres. Elections | x | 3% | x | 4% | x | x |
Afghanistan | x | 3% | x | x | x | 2% |
Facebook news | x | x | 2% | 2% | x | x |
Indonesia earthquake | x | x | 2% | x | x | x |
GSA head resigns | x | x | x | x | 1% | x |
Gun control | x | x | x | x | 1% | x |
Obama administration | x | x | x | x | 1% | x |
Jennifer Hudson family murder | x | x | x | x | 1% | x |
Tulsa OK shooting | x | x | x | x | x | 3% |
Masters golf tournament | x | x | x | x | x | 2% |
Source: Project for Excellence in Journalism |