Analysis: Our Studies, Commentaries and Backgrounders

This section, Analysis, is the complete archive of all the research studies, commentaries, background reports, articles, or speeches PEJ has published. They are listed below in chronological order, but our archive is also searchable. Use the menus on the left to filter the contents and find exactly what you want.
  • Gun Control and the Media

    The Twitter debate about gun control has taken many twists and turns since the Newtown killings, according to a new Pew Research Report that looks at the mainstream coverage and social media conversation on that issue. Which terms did the media most often invoke when discussing gun control? And how big a factor was President Obama in driving the narrative about it?
  • Media and the Boston Bombings - Press Roundup

    A special edition of Pew Research's Daily Briefing of media news includes a look at the mistakes the news media made in reporting after the bombings, how the media itself became part of the drama, critics voicing their opinions on media coverage, the importance of – and problems with – social media and more.
  • Newspapers Turning Ideas into Dollars

    At a time of economic turmoil in the newspaper business, a new Pew Research Center report identifies four dailies that have built successful new revenue streams and answers four key questions. What are these winning business innovations? What challenges did the papers overcome in implementing them? What are the tangible signs of success? And what lessons can be shared with the industry?
  • Will Conservative Talkers Take On Immigration Reform?

    Back in 2007, when President George W. Bush pushed for new immigration legislation, PEJ research showed the degree to which conservative talk hosts attacked the measure. And, they themselves took credit for helping to kill it. Will these hosts reprise their staunch opposition this time around? The early indications suggest that perhaps not.
  • In Social Media and Opinion Pages, Newtown Sparks Calls for Gun Reform

    Gun control was an immediate focus of the conversation on social media and in the opinion pages of newspapers following the shooting at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary School, according to a special PEJ report. How does the response to this tragedy compare with other shootings? How did coverage in opinion pieces differ than the social media conversation? The report offers answers.
  • The Media, Religion and the 2012 Campaign for President

    Religion played a minor role in coverage of the 2012 campaign, even though the race pitted the first major Mormon nominee against an incumbent whose faith has been a source of controversy. A new report from PEJ and the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life examines role of faith in 15 months of campaign coverage.
  • The Demographics of Mobile News

    Younger Americans demonstrate much stronger news habits in the mobile realm than on other news platforms, according to a new study by PEJ in collaboration with The Economist Group. Another finding, with potentially significant implications for the news industry, reveals that younger users are more responsive than other age groups to advertisements in the mobile news space. What other demographics affect mobile news habits?
  • Featured Infographics Selected in PEJ Economist Challenge

    PEJ and The Economist Group have announced the results from their Future of Mobile News Infographic challenge, hosted by Visual.ly. Three designs, as well as a student entry, stood out among a number of strong submissions. See the featured infographics on our site and learn more about them.
  • Arab-American Media

    At a time of major news developments in the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab-American media’s efforts to meet the demands of its audience have been complicated by declining ad revenue, new technology, and growing competition from Arab outlets in the Middle East and North Africa, according to a new PEJ study.
  • The Final Days of the Media Campaign 2012

    Obama enjoyed a surge of positive news coverage the last week of the campaign—one of his best weeks in months—in the wake of new polls and Superstorm Sandy. How did Mitt Romney fare? Was the tone of the conversation different on social media than in the mainstream press? A new report offers answers.