Analysis: Our Commentaries and Backgrounders
This section, Commentaries and Backgrounders, contains our more concise research analyses, such as op eds, articles, speeches, and quick reports. These are distinguished from our more detailed empirical research studies. They are listed below in chronological order. Or you can use the menus on the left to filter our entire archive and find exactly what you want.
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| March 26, 2008 |
| 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.
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| January 4, 2008 |
| 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.
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| October 15, 2007 |
| 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. |
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| August 9, 2007 |
| 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.
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| August 1, 2007 |
| 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.
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| July 18, 2007 |
| It’s been off the books since the FCC repealed it two decades ago.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?
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| June 11, 2007 |
| 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. |
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| June 1, 2007, Dante Chinni for PEJ |
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.
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| May 20, 2007 |
| 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. |
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| May 11, 2007 |
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. |
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