http://www.journalism.org/research_and_analysis/Commentaries%2520and%2520Backgrounders Journalism.org's Commentaries Feed en-US http://www.journalism.org/node/27706 The internet is the source that people most rely on for material about the local business scene and search engines are particularly valued. http://www.journalism.org/node/26454 Spanish-language media is an important tool for a U.S. Hispanic population that is increasingly bilingual and American-born. Is the Hispanic newspaper market experiencing the same issues as English-language papers? Why are networks like Univision growing so rapidly? Is radio still a dominant force in Spanish-language media? PEJ answers these and other questions in a new examination of the Hispanic Media landscape. http://www.journalism.org/node/26186 The annual survey of recent journalism and communication graduates by the University of Georgia shows only small changes in a difficult employment environment. But there are some silver linings, including a jump in job satisfaction among those who have found work in the field. http://www.journalism.org/node/25929 The scandal rocking Rupert Murdoch’s media empire—as well as the highest circles of British politics and law enforcement—has been a major story in the U.S. news media for two weeks. But how has Murdoch’s cable news channel here covered the story? A PEJ examination has some answers. http://www.journalism.org/node/25928 http://www.journalism.org/node/25877 The recent scandal involving Rupert Murdoch’s news operations in the United Kingdom, and news of new FBI investigation in the U.S., raises questions about whether or not the controversy will spread to his American holdings. What media properties does Murdoch own in America? PEJ offers details. http://www.journalism.org/node/24991 Contrary to what happens with most major national news events, the discussion of the death of Osama bin Laden in the mainstream and new media has not shifted quickly to political winners and losers. An analysis of hundreds of thousands of stories and millions of social media postings finds the discussion has remained focused on the facts of what happened. A new PEJ study has the details. http://www.journalism.org/node/22034 The latest biennial survey on news consumption from the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press reveals signs of a new era in the acquisition and consumption of news—and there is reason to expect the shift will accelerate. What is the nature of this new era, and why is it happening? A commentary on the findings by PEJ Director Tom Rosenstiel. http://www.journalism.org/node/21564 The University of Georgia’s yearly survey of journalism and communication graduates is out and the news isn’t good. The job market has tightened, salaries are stagnant and benefits are being cut. On the brighter side, more of the 2009 grads with jobs are doing web-related work and by and large, the students remain satisfied with their career choice. http://www.journalism.org/node/21431 The Shirley Sherrod saga started with a video posted online and ended with a flurry of finger pointing.  In a special report, PEJ reconstructs a chronology of how the story reverberated around the media echo chamber before dramatically changing course. And this week’s News Coverage Index finds that the tale of the USDA employee prematurely forced out of her job was the No. 2 story in the news agenda. http://www.journalism.org/node/19731 A new Pew report changes much of the understanding about how people learn about their community. Americans turn to a wide range of platforms to get local news and information, and where they turn varies considerably depending on the subject matter and their age, according to a new survey by PEJ and Pew Internet in association with the Knight Foundation. Explore for yourself the changing ecosystem of how people get local news with our Interactive. Or read the report. http://www.journalism.org/node/17026 The 2008 class of journalism and communications graduates is suffering the worst job prospects on record, according to a new report from the University of Georgia. And as those numbers seem to be reflected in growing pessimism about the news industry among degree recipients, it’s forcing many of them to be more flexible about career aspirations. http://www.journalism.org/node/16932 Coverage of health news is on the rise according to an examination of media coverage from January to June 2009. Which health news topics generated the biggest headlines in 2009? What media sectors pay the most attention to health care? These questions and more are answered in a new study, produced by PEJ and the Kaiser Family Foundation. http://www.journalism.org/node/15532 News web sites can instantly measure which stories and features are popular and which are bombing at the online box office. How are journalists using this instantaneous data, and is the net effect positive or not? http://www.journalism.org/node/15083 Online news is a rapidly changing media platform. Are Web journalists optimistic about the future? Is the Internet altering the fundamental values of journalism? These questions and more are answered in a survey of online journalists. http://www.journalism.org/node/15274 How popular was local television as a source for news in 2008? How did ratings for morning, evening and late night newscasts fare? These questions and more are answered in the Local TV chapter of the State of the News Media 2009 report. http://www.journalism.org/node/15253 In an industry that is constantly changing, how is radio faring? In what ways has technology affected how people get their news on the radio? Read the Audio Chapter of the State of the News Media 2009 for answers. http://www.journalism.org/node/15178 In 2008, new media consumption patterns and a worsening economy battered an already flailing news industry. How are different media coping with declines in ad spending? This question and more are answered in PEJ’s new State of the News Media 2009 report. http://www.journalism.org/node/13165 The 2008 race for the White House has once again seen intensifying complaints about media bias, most recently from the McCain camp. The charges have ranged from liberalism, to sexism, and more. A new PEJ review offers an historical perspective on the evolution of the tenuous relationship between press and political leaders. http://www.journalism.org/node/12673 PEJ gauges online buzz during the Democratic and Republican conventions. http://www.journalism.org/node/12448 A new Pew Research Center survey finds people using various traditional media at historically low levels. But the more telling findings here are not where people get news but how. In a commentary, PEJ Director Tom Rosenstiel sees the outlines of a new "On Demand" Media Culture. http://www.journalism.org/node/10365 The tactical success of the surge and the tactical failures of the new Democratic Congress are among the reasons why the five-year-old conflict seems to have disappeared from the headlines. And then there are the competing demands of covering the most intriguing presidential campaign in recent memory. http://www.journalism.org/node/9200 The media were busy anointing winners after the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses. And the theme of change and surprise also resonated throughout much of the commentary. But a PEJ look at the caucus post-mortems finds that perhaps the most distinct aspect of the coverage was the certainty that something major had occurred that night in Iowa. http://www.journalism.org/node/7968 After years of anticipation, News Corp. launched its Fox Business Network in October 2007. While other rivals to CNBC have struggled, Wall Street is bullish on the potential of Fox’s chances in what has emerged as a lucrative and growing market. http://www.journalism.org/node/6979 San Francisco Giant slugger Barry Bonds became baseball’s all-time home run king on Aug 7. But allegations of steroid use have triggered a fierce debate in the sports world over the meaning and validity of his record. A PEJ evaluation of the coverage in more than 40 newspapers sheds some light on the sportswriters’ response to Bonds’ feat. http://www.journalism.org/node/6757 With the drawn-out approval of Rupert Murdoch's bid for the Wall Street Journal finally in, attention turns to what he will make of the paper. Starting back in the early 70’s the global media magnate began investing in a series of American newspapers. How did those publications do? Here’s a scorecard. http://www.journalism.org/node/6571 It’s been off the books since the FCC repealed it two decades ago. But an old rule regulating content on the airwaves has suddenly become a topic on Capitol Hill and on the talk radio circuit. Is the Fairness Doctrine really headed for a comeback? http://www.journalism.org/node/5982 There have been a few twists and turns in the eight-year history of Beliefnet.com, the faith-oriented web site. But the outlet, which recently captured a major National Magazine Award, has reinvented itself by trying to turn a potentially polarizing subject into an all-inclusive gathering place. http://www.journalism.org/node/5878 For years, magazine watchers relied on monthly advertising reports known as "PIBs" to gauge the health of the industry. Recently, the "PIBs" were cut back from 12 a year to only four. A magazine trade organization says that’s an attempt to provide more meaningful data, but analysts suggest it’s also a reflection of tough economic times. http://www.journalism.org/node/5748 In a speech to graduating seniors at Boston University, PEJ Senior Counselor Bill Kovach discussed the need for citizens to carefully sort through disinformation and news to define a "reality" that offers the best understanding of our increasingly complicated democracy. http://www.journalism.org/node/5553 Looking for a way to get out its message in Iraq, the U.S. Multi-National Force Iraq has turned to You Tube and has found some success with users who have made the site one of this month’s most popular. The site aims to use footage shot by military personnel to give a fuller picture of Iraq, a spokesman says. PEJ examines the effort. http://www.journalism.org/node/5509 With the news business in transition, fragmentation, and turmoil, many veteran journalists wonder about their careers. What about those preparing to first enter the field? The PEJ asked a group of journalism students about their hopes and fears—and their answers may surprise you. http://www.journalism.org/node/5243 He was a newspaperman and a war correspondent, a prolific author and an insatiably curious sports fan. But above all, David Halberstam—who died at age 73 in a car accident on Monday—was a reporter committed to helping his readers understand the complex world around them. PEJ senior counselor Bill Kovach offers his tribute to his friend, one of the nation’s most distinguished journalists. http://www.journalism.org/node/4946 For more than three decades, John Morton kept a close eye on America’s daily publishing business. Now shutting down his popular newsletter and heading into semi-retirement, one of the most influential experts in the field offers a prognosis and prescription for an industry in trouble. http://www.journalism.org/node/4445 The jury has spoken in the perjury and obstruction trial of Scooter Libby that so intimately involved the journalism profession itself. We know the Vice President’s former top aide was found guilty. But who or what else did the media implicate in its post-verdict coverage? http://www.journalism.org/node/4143 Student journalists and school personnel have been known to clash on occasion over what news is fit to print. Now precedent-setting legislation wending its way through the Washington State House is intended to give students more control over and responsibility for the content of the school publication. http://www.journalism.org/node/4027 A new study finds a proliferation of “citizen media” web sites that fit somewhere on the media spectrum between the street-corner soapbox and the local daily newspaper. While concluding that these grassroots outlets are successful at creating community conversations, the report on this emerging landscape also reveals that many are tenuous, shoestring operations. http://www.journalism.org/node/3824 If Time, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report were hoping that 2006 would offset poor advertising numbers in 2005, they will be disappointed. The year-end figures are now in and they show that the number of ad pages at the three big newsmagazines barely inched up. The magazine industry generally, indeed, is suffering something of a malaise. http://www.journalism.org/node/3802 How did the press cover the President’s State of the Union address? Did it emphasize his domestic policy agenda or did Iraq policy grab the headlines? Did the media focus on his appeal for another chance on Iraq or his defiance on that subject? A PEJ review of front-page headlines on the day after finds the answers. http://www.journalism.org/node/3490 More than three years ago, in the wake of the Jayson Blair scandal, the New York Times announced it would hire its first-ever public editor or ombudsman to act as an independent monitor of the paper. Now a published report raises the issue of whether the Times is thinking about eliminating the position. Such a decision would likely reverberate throughout the newspaper industry. What are Times officials thinking? http://www.journalism.org/node/3424 What do Bill O’Reilly, Anderson Cooper and Jim Cramer all have in common? The three cable news personalities are all hawking their own line of gifts—from varsity jackets to fitness kits to bobblehead dolls. It’s a classic case of brand extension meets the holiday shopping rush. And consumers get to declare their loyalty in the fierce cable news wars. http://www.journalism.org/node/3381 Some critics have assailed Time magazine’s choice for 2006 Person of the Year in recent days, calling the editors’ selection of “You” with a mirror on the cover gimmicky. But this wasn’t the first unconventional choice for Time’s honor – or the first time a group of people was selected. PEJ takes stock of Time’s past Persons of the Year from 1927 on. http://www.journalism.org/node/3338 What difference has Tony Snow made since becoming President George W. Bush’s press secretary? The President has been more accessible, for one thing. Tony Snow, it turns out, also talks more than his predecessor, Scott McClellan. A PEJ analysis suggests that in his regular give-and-take with the White House journalists, White House Q&A sessions are wordier and longer with the former TV and radio talk host at the helm. http://www.journalism.org/node/3315 It’s hard to know whether the universe of satellite radio companies is about to be cut in half. Is Sirius Radio boss Mel Karmazin’s talk about a merger between his company and XM Radio simply chatter or a prelude to a deal? Any union of the two intensely competitive satellite radio services would have to pass regulatory muster. Here’s a look at how the two satellite radio services stack up. http://www.journalism.org/node/3276 A two-year-old experiment in shrinking the global village, Global Voices features bloggers who often write about parts of the world that are ignored by the mainstream media. In this PEJ interview, co-founder Ethan Zuckerman talks about the promise of the blogosphere and some of the problems with traditional journalism. http://www.journalism.org/node/3211 What was the treatment of the eagerly awaited Iraq Study Group report across the nation's front pages? To find out, PEJ looked at nearly 200 headlines from Dec. 7, the day after its release. While there wasn’t much good news to tout, these editors seemed almost evenly divided over whether to highlight the report’s critique of the administration or its prescription for change in Iraq. http://www.journalism.org/node/3168 There’s a battle brewing over whether the government should regulate the use of video news releases—prepackaged segments often produced for commercial clients—that look like news reports and sometimes appear on local TV newscasts. This PEJ backgrounder examines the dispute between television industry representatives and their critics. http://www.journalism.org/node/3125 What are the best newspapers in America? The question used to be hotly debated. But when Poynter.org readers were asked to weigh in recently there was tepid response. Does that reflect a stagnating newspaper industry? We offer the results of that effort here. But maybe the more interesting, or at least refreshing question, is what are the best news web sites. http://www.journalism.org/node/3089 Three decades later, the Washington Post’s reporting on the Watergate scandal is still spoken about with a hushed reverence as a singular journalistic achievement. The legend and mythology surrounding Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein continue to grow, even as the industry itself has changed. http://www.journalism.org/node/2996 According to the Student Press Law Center, large numbers of college papers are being stolen from racks and newsstands at an alarming rate this semester. In most cases, the perpetrators seem intent in quashing stories about controversial or unpopular subjects. And one advocate for student journalists thinks it’s time for college administrators to crack down on the problem.