Project for Excellence in Journalism

Obama and Bachmann Drive Economic and Election Coverage

July 6, 2011

The struggling U.S. economy and the unfolding 2012 presidential race accounted for about one-third of the newshole, further evidence that these two domestic issues have become for now the dominant narratives in the U.S. mainstream media.

From June 27-July 3, the economy accounted for 19% of the newshole, according to the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism. That marked the second week in a row that economic coverage -- driven by the partisan differences stalling deficit reduction talks -- has been the No. 1 story.

That was followed, at 13%, by the presidential campaign, which was fueled by GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann's official announcement of her candidacy. Bachmann was the major player in last week's campaign coverage, appearing as a prominent newsmaker in more than 40% of the stories about the race. (To register as a prominent newsmaker, someone must appear in at least 50% of a story.) And in recent weeks, the media narrative has helped elevate Bachmann from the ranks of the long shots to a significant figure in the Republican field.

Last week's coverage of the economy and election reinforced a trend that emerged in PEJ's News Coverage Index in late spring. After the first part of the year was marked by major media attention to such international events as the earthquake in Japan, the turmoil in the Middle East and the killing of Osama bin Laden, the press has pivoted to a domestic, and largely Beltway-centric, media agenda. Indeed in the past six weeks, the No. 1 story (the economy at 15%) and the No. 2 story (the election at 11%) have become the staples of the news diet.

In another sign of that turn homeward, last week marked the first time in more than five months that events related to the Middle East did not make the list of top five stories.

The conflict in Afghanistan was the week's No. 3 story (at 5%), but that actually served to illustrate how difficult it is to sustain significant coverage of the war. Only one week earlier -- with President Obama announcing plans to bring home 30,000 troops by next year -- coverage reached its peak for the year, at 14%. Only one week later, it dropped by nearly two-thirds.

The fourth-biggest story, also at 5%, was the case involving former International Monetary Fund head Dominique Strauss-Kahn, which took a dramatic turn last week with reports that the woman accusing him of sexual assault had significant credibility problems that undermined the case.

Rounding out the roster of top five stories (4%) was the seven-to-two decision of the Supreme Court -- one that reached across ideological lines -- striking down a California law that had banned the sale of violent video games to children. Not everyone was pleased with the ruling.

"Gamer ruling a win for violence," was the headline atop one Chicago Tribune column.

Read the full report at journalism.org.