The shooting of Trayvon Martin was the number one news story during the week of 3/19-3/25 in a split decision, according to the latest survey from the Project for Excellence in Journalism. Even the politically-focused cable NDs turned their eyes to Florida, although they still had an eye on the presidential election.
At cable, it was shooting 34%, election 27%. Radio was similar but less so at 25%/18%.
Online sources called it a tie at 15%, while newspapers and network television called it in favor of the election. In fact, the nation’s newspapers put the Florida shooting all the way down in 4th, behind the election, the economy and the education system.
Overall, it was Martin shooting 19%, 2012 presidential election 17%. The situation in Afghanistan just missed double digits, claiming 3rd place with 9% overall.
2% of the overall newshole was dedicated to coverage of the Supreme Court. Look for that number to increase next week.
| Story | Overall | Newspaper | Online | NetTV | CATV | Radio |
| Trayvon Martin shooting | 19% | 8% | 15% | 13% | 34% | 25% |
| 2012 presidential election | 17% | 12% | 15% | 14% | 27% | 18% |
| Afghanistan | 9% | 6% | 13% | 12% | 6% | 3% |
| Economy | 6% | 9% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 5% |
| French Jewish school shooting | 5% | 2% | 11% | 4% | 3% | x |
| Health care debate | 5% | 6% | 3% | 6% | 3% | 11% |
| SCOTUS actions | 2% | 4% | x | 3% | x | 3% |
| Education system | 2% | 9% | x | x | x | x |
| Middle East unrest | 2% | x | 3% | x | 2% | 4% |
| NFL bounty system | 1% | 3% | 2% | x | x | x |
| European economy | x | 4% | x | x | x | x |
| Apple news | x | x | 2% | x | x | x |
| Energy debate | x | x | 2% | x | 2% | x |
| Global warming | x | x | x | 3% | x | x |
| Terror threats/security | x | x | x | 3% | x | x |
| China | x | x | x | 2% | x | x |
| Acapulco earthquake | x | x | x | x | 3% | x |
| Gun control | x | x | x | x | 2% | x |
| Keystone oil pipeline | x | x | x | x | x | 6% |
| Gas/oil prices | x | x | x | x | x | 4% |
| NCAA tournament | x | x | x | x | x | 2% |
| Source: Project for Excellence in Journalism | ||||||
