Most media have pulled back on 2012 presidential election coverage now that the Republican nomination has been all but decided. But cable still invested over 40% of its time to that story during the week of 4/23-29, according the latest Project for Excellence Report.
Radio also gave the narrative a good airing, investing 25% of its time and leading to a 20% overall share of the total newshole. No other story made it into double digits.
The News of the World hacking scandal was on the top 10 list in a tie for #7 with 3% coverage. The story, which implicates News Corp., has some watchdogs calling for revocation of the company’s US broadcast television licenses, not to mention asking for congressional investigations.
| Story | Overall | Nwspr | Online | NetTV | CATV | Radio |
| 2012 presidential election | 20% | 8% | 15% | 11% | 42% | 25% |
| Economy | 8% | 12% | 10% | 7% | 7% | 5% |
| Immigration debate | 6% | 7% | 8% | 3% | 4% | 8% |
| Education system | 4% | 7% | x | x | 2% | 8% |
| Secret Svc prostitute scandal | 4% | x | 3% | 10% | 6% | x |
| John Edwards Scandal | 4% | x | 4% | 9% | 4% | x |
| NOTW hacking | 3% | x | 7% | 4% | x | x |
| China | 3% | 7% | x | 3% | x | 3% |
| Trayvon Martin shooting | 3% | x | 3% | 4% | 4% | x |
| Middle East unrest | 3% | 8% | x | x | 2% | x |
| Afghanistan | x | 6% | x | x | x | x |
| 2012 non-presidential elections | x | 5% | x | x | x | x |
| European economy | x | 3% | x | x | x | 2% |
| Charle Taylor war crimes trial | x | 2% | 3% | x | x | 2% |
| Terror threats/security | x | x | 3% | x | x | x |
| Osama bin Laden killed | x | x | x | 3% | x | x |
| US airline industry | x | x | x | 2% | x | x |
| Abortion controversy | x | x | x | x | 3% | x |
| Iran | x | x | x | x | 2% | x |
| Energy debate | x | x | x | x | x | 6% |
| USPS troubles | x | x | x | x | x | 3% |
| Mad Cow Disease | x | x | x | x | x | 2% |
| Source: Project for Excellence in Journalism | ||||||
