2011-03-01-皮尤-Rising_Oil_Prices_Big_News_for_American_Public_14页_57kb

Summary of Pew Research Center News Interest Index (March 2, 2011)

The Pew Research Center's News Interest Index survey, conducted Feb. 24-27, 2011, among 1,009 adults, assessed public focus on major news stories. Key findings include:

• Rising oil prices were the most closely followed story, with 50% tracking it very closely, replacing gas price concerns from prior surveys.
• Violence in Libya came in second, with 38% followed very closely, though media coverage exceeded public interest in some cases.
• Disputes in Wisconsin and other states over public employee unions attracted 36% of very close attention, particularly from the Midwest.
• U.S. economy was closely followed by 49% very closely, reflecting ongoing public interest.
• Public interest and media coverage metrics highlight discrepancies: oil prices were a top public focus but appeared in only 2% of news coverage. Income variations showed lower-income households were more interested in oil prices.
• Other stories, like the New Zealand earthquake, gay marriage debate, and recall of Toyota vehicles, drew less attention.
• Additional topics: 41% heard a lot about Somali pirates, and 37% were aware of the government shutdown possibility.