Cable makes sure news focus remains on election

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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