2009-02-03-皮尤-Policy_Issues_Overshadow_Personal_Stories_in_Obama_s_First_Weeks_11页_62kb

Summary of Pew Research Center News Interest Index Release

Crowdsourced public awareness and interest in top news stories during President Obama's first weeks, with a focus on policy issues, the economy, consumer concerns, and other topics.

Key Findings on Policy Awareness

• High awareness of economic matters, including Obama's stimulus plan (69% heard a lot).
• Other policy topics: Guantanamo closure (57%), criticism of executive bonuses (46%), and improvement of relations with the Muslim world (28%).
• Partisan differences: Democrats more aware of bonus criticism and Muslim relations; Republicans slightly more aware of lifting the abortion funding ban.
• Lower awareness or varied interest in personal stories like Obama's Blackberry use or family-related news.

Top News Topics Across the Public

• Economy dominated news interest, with 34% following it more closely than other stories and accounting for 21% of media coverage.
• Debates over Obama's stimulus plan were the second most followed story, with 24% of media coverage.
• Salmonella peanut recall was closely tracked by 33% of Americans, especially high among women, affecting consumer news interest.
• Other stories like the Blagojevich trial and military efforts in Afghanistan received significant public and media attention.

Digital TV Transition Awareness

• About 81% of Americans have heard a lot about the upcoming switch from analog to digital TV signals.
• Most believe the change will not affect their TVs (77%), but awareness is widespread across age and education groups.
• The government's coupon program for converter boxes was largely exhausted before widespread preparation.

Methodology and Additional Insights

• Based on the weekly News Interest Index survey, measuring public interest against media coverage, involving 1,002 adults.
• The survey highlighted roles of politics, consumer safety, and policy debates in shaping public attention.