http://www.journalism.org Journalism.org's News Index Feed en-US http://www.journalism.org/node/28287 The Project for Excellence in Journalism did not publish a news index report this week. But the data has been made available. http://www.journalism.org/node/28357 Last week, bloggers circulated a letter written more than a century ago from a former slave. Some in social media were able to use publicly available information on the web to investigate the veracity of the letter. On YouTube, three different videos featuring Russians became a news phenomenon. (Photo at left taken from the blog that originally posted the letter, courtesy of the Library of Congress.) http://www.journalism.org/node/28204 The Project for Excellence in Journalism did not publish a news index report this week. But the data has been made available. http://www.journalism.org/node/28272 With Facebook’s IPO filing, this special edition of the New Media Index examines the conversation about the company among bloggers and tweeters during the past three years. http://www.journalism.org/node/28123 The Project for Excellence in Journalism did not publish a news index report this week. But the data has been made available. http://www.journalism.org/node/28189 Legislation aimed at combating online piracy drew the universal ire of social media users last week as a large January 18 protest put pressure on Congress to oppose the bills. And in what many observers called an unprecedented event, the online resistance actually forced the legislators into retreat last week. http://www.journalism.org/node/28091 The Project for Excellence in Journalism did not publish a news index report this week. But the data has been made available. http://www.journalism.org/node/27969 http://www.journalism.org/node/28039 Last week, liberal, libertarian and conservative bloggers debated the campaign of presidential candidate Ron Paul following the Iowa caucuses. And on YouTube, Paul supporters offered up their own theory about why a CNN interview suddenly went off the air. http://www.journalism.org/node/27952 News of Apple’s dominance in mobile shopping and the possible waning of price comparison websites struck bloggers interest last week. http://www.journalism.org/node/27883 On blogs, PolitiFact’s decision to call out Democrats for lying about GOP plans for Medicare led to a heated political argument. And on YouTube, viewers were fascinated by the public outpouring from North Korean citizens following the death of Kim Jong Il. http://www.journalism.org/node/27927 In the days before Iowans finally caucused, the news media were most focused on the shifting horse race that foreshadowed Rick Santorum’s strong late showing, according to a PEJ analysis of the leading themes in the Iowa press narrative. http://www.journalism.org/node/27765 Attention to the Republican nomination fight increased last week with Iowa looming and Gingrich and Romney locked in campaign combat. http://www.journalism.org/node/27748 A set of moving photographs that helped define the year 2011 generated major attention in the blogosphere (and also helped BuzzFeed have its busiest day of online traffic ever). Teen singers dominated the conversation on Twitter and a Mexican presidential candidate’s gaffe was the most popular news video on YouTube. http://www.journalism.org/node/27670 One GOP candidate has not only soared in the polls recently, he’s become the focal point of news coverage as well. A presidential speech drove coverage of the week’s No. 2 story, the economy. http://www.journalism.org/node/27649 An incident involving a woman attacking fellow shoppers with pepper spray during a Black Friday sale got the attention of bloggers last week. http://www.journalism.org/node/27564 Herman Cain was in the campaign spotlight one final time last week, as he ended his presidential run in the wake of new allegations. Some good news on both the domestic and foreign economic fronts fueled coverage of the No. 2 and No. 3 stories. http://www.journalism.org/node/27545 A pepper-spraying incident at UC Davis set off a viral video on YouTube and critical commentary on blogs. In addition, conservative commentator David Frum received rare kudos from liberal bloggers. http://www.journalism.org/node/27423 Tensions drove Occupy Wall Street coverage to its biggest week so far and an interview with Jerry Sandusky ushered in a second week of major coverage of Penn State’s sexual abuse scandal. http://www.journalism.org/node/27403 Bloggers last week took time to salute Andy Rooney, a stalwart of the old media universe. Meanwhile, the Occupy Wall Street protests led on Twitter. http://www.journalism.org/node/27336 With additional women coming forward with sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain, the 2012 presidential race was the No. 1 story for the second week in a row. http://www.journalism.org/node/27320 Bloggers focused heavily on harassment allegations against a prominent presidential candidate and the abrupt conclusion of a celebrity marriage last week. On Twitter, pop stars led the agenda. http://www.journalism.org/node/27243 The Project for Excellence in Journalism did not issue a News Index report this week, but the data is still available. http://www.journalism.org/node/27157 After a brief one-week absence, the U.S. economy re-emerged as the top story last week. http://www.journalism.org/node/27224 The GOP presidential hopefuls were a major topic for bloggers and Twitter users last week as two other subjects also generated significant interest in both social media platforms—the Occupy Wall Street protests and the life and legacy of Steve Jobs. http://www.journalism.org/node/27140 For the first time since the Occupy Wall Street protests began in September, the subject was among the most discussed on blogs. http://www.journalism.org/node/27074 A news week that began with the campaign ended with the death of Muammar Gaddafi.  http://www.journalism.org/node/27042 The Netflix decision to drop earlier plans to split its services was seen as a victory for the power of social media last week. The iPhone 4S continued to be a hot topic on both blogs and Twitter. And a bloody goring at a bullfight was the most popular YouTube video. http://www.journalism.org/node/26974 With more and more partisans choosing up sides on the issue, the Occupy Wall Street protests continued to fuel economic coverage last week. Mitt Romney took front and center in the 2012 presidential campaign, and the unraveling of an Iranian plot on U.S. soil raised more questions than answers. http://www.journalism.org/node/26973 Last week, many in social media were consumed by two major events, the unveiling of a feverishly anticipated Apple iPhone and the death of the genius and driving force behind that company, Steve Jobs. Meanwhile, a TV interview that spelled doom for one of TV’s signature theme songs was the most-viewed YouTube media. http://www.journalism.org/node/26889 After several weeks of attracting modest attention, the protests in New York and beyond emerged as a major newsmaker last week. Meanwhile, 2012 campaign coverage reached its high point to date, a high-profile murder case was resolved, and a world infatuated with Apple technology mourned the death of the man behind it all. http://www.journalism.org/node/26801 The presidential campaign was the top story last week for the first time since mid-June, largely due to the buzz over a potential Chris Christie entrance into the GOP race. The economy followed close behind, with the emphasis on jobs, the banking industry and public unrest. And the trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor ranked among the top stories. http://www.journalism.org/node/26871 The recently announced iPhone 4S triggered huge anticipation online last week, with many tech bloggers expecting an iPhone 5 instead. Changes to social networks Facebook and Google+ also fueled the online conversation. And the protests on Wall Street were among the top subjects on YouTube and Twitter. http://www.journalism.org/node/26715 President Obama’s deficit reduction plan set off a partisan skirmish that generated major headlines last week. The second biggest story, the presidential campaign, was marked by a shaky debate performance by GOP frontrunner Rick Perry. And the latest chapter in the intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict registered as the No. 3 topic. http://www.journalism.org/node/26782 In social media last week, it was new tech entrants versus familiar tech services—and both bloggers and Twitterers gave much better marks to the new entrants. The iPhone and Google+ received praise while changes to Facebook and Netflix were roundly criticized. And on YouTube, millions viewed a tragic crash at an air show. http://www.journalism.org/node/26691 The 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon was a prominent topic on blogs, Twitter and YouTube last week. Bloggers and Tweeters also engaged in some serious speculation about the upcoming edition of the iPhone. http://www.journalism.org/node/26629 While Barack Obama hit the road to sell his jobs bill, the media reminded him that it will have to get past Congress—a feat that looked more difficult by the day. And once again, Texas Governor Rick Perry emerged as the central figure in a GOP presidential debate that featured a harsh exchange over vaccinations. http://www.journalism.org/node/26613 News about two major tech companies generated plenty of attention on both blogs and Twitter last week. One involved an abrupt changing of the guard at Yahoo and the other was an interesting addition to the Google portfolio. On YouTube, some strange animals were the top stories. http://www.journalism.org/node/26544 In a crowded news week, the economy was the top story, followed by an intensifying 2012 presidential race. The week ended with news of a new terror warning and sober reflection on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. http://www.journalism.org/node/26526 Did the media overplay Hurricane Irene? What should the media’s role be? Bloggers weighed in strongly last week. And thanks to news about pop star Beyonce, the MTV Video Music Awards set a record on Twitter and were the subject of the most popular video on YouTube. http://www.journalism.org/node/26476 Even after it had passed, the hurricane that slammed the East Coast continued to be the top news story across the U.S. last week as damage mounted. A scheduling skirmish over a presidential speech made the economy the No. 2 story while the hunt for a deposed dictator was a smaller story than his fleeing the capital. http://www.journalism.org/node/26391 There were no late summer news doldrums last week as the apparent conclusion of a civil war and a pair of natural disasters topped the news. The rebel takeover of Libya generated the biggest week of attention to that conflict in five months while an earthquake and a hurricane brought the media focus back to the Northeast United States. http://www.journalism.org/node/26456 The resignation of the admired businessman and inventor dominated Twitter for the week, far outpacing a pair of natural disasters on the East Coast. On YouTube an international basketball brawl drew significant attention while bloggers were stunned at the size of our national debt. http://www.journalism.org/node/26302 The economy remained the No. 1 story for the ninth consecutive week while the 2012 presidential race continued its recent spike in coverage last week. And dramatic developments regarding Syria and Libya drove Mideast coverage to its highest level in nearly three months. http://www.journalism.org/node/26372 Last week, Google’s purchase of Motorola was big news on both Twitter and in the blogosphere. But Warren Buffet’s financial philosophy also scored high. On blogs, rumors about an upcoming iPhone model and discussion of various 2012 GOP candidates were prominent. http://www.journalism.org/node/26283 The riots in the United Kingdom dominated the world of social media last week. On Twitter, there was little empathy for the grievances of those participating as far more people expressed anger and fear at what was occurring. On YouTube, the most watched videos were focused on the mayhem during the looting and chaos. http://www.journalism.org/node/26205 The deal to raise the debt ceiling in Washington drew harsh criticism from both the left and the right last week as the subject received significant attention on blogs, Twitter and YouTube. The other subject to generate substantial interest on both blogs and Twitter was news about a teen pop star. http://www.journalism.org/node/26117 A comparison between the Tea Party and characters in the Lord of the Rings trilogy generated a lively debate on the blogosphere last week. Twitter users complained about Formula 1auto racing. And the most viewed videos on YouTube depicted the carnage from the July 22 attacks in Norway. http://www.journalism.org/node/26029 The multiple attacks that struck Norway echoed throughout social media last week. This special edition of PEJ’s New Media Index is an in-depth look at the complex conversation on blogs, where the ideological views of the assailant, Anders Behring Breivik, became a significant point of discussion. http://www.journalism.org/node/25962 Twitter users continued to voice their displeasure at Rupert Murdoch last week, and a discussion of the scandal affecting his company was among the top videos on YouTube. On blogs, the No. 1 story was about the federal government’s ruling that marijuana has no accepted medical use.