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Project for Excellence in Journalism
Intense Economic Coverage Continues
The swift passage and signing of the landmark tax bill drove the economy to the No. 1 spot in the news agenda last week.
From Dec. 12-19, the economy accounted for 26% of the newshole studied in the weekly news index of the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism. That is somewhat less than the 40% focused on the economy the week before, but is consistent with recent weeks of intense media attention to the subject.
More than any other issue, the tax bill drove last week's economic coverage, accounting for about two-thirds of it. A mix of other items -- including the omnibus spending bill, the debate over earmarks and news about holiday retail sales -- were factors, too.
While the economy overshadowed all other stories, the No. 2 news event, according to PEJ's News Coverage Index, was a Virginia federal judge's challenge to the U.S. health care law. For the first time in many months, the debate about health care policy reappeared, accounting for 5% of the newshole.
At No. 3 was the death of Richard Holbrooke, a senior U.S. diplomat who had played a key role in working with leaders in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Holbrooke's sudden death from heart problems, and the review of his life as a leading diplomat for Democratic presidential administrations since the 1960s, filled another 5% of the newshole.
Also at 5% was the U.S. conflict in Afghanistan, spurred in part by a White House report which indicated that troop withdrawals could begin in mid-2011, on schedule.
Finally, at No. 5, was the Wikileaks saga, now in its third week among the top five news stories. This week, journalists reported on the details of the charges and bail hearing for the group's leader, Julian Assange, who was brought up on charges of sexual misconduct.