WikiLeaks Puts Afghanistan Back on Media Agenda
The leak of some 90,000 classified war reports triggered a renewed debate over war strategy in Afghanistan. With court action in Arizona, the immigration debate dominated cable news.
Earmarks Could Help Candidates in Midterms; Palin and Tea Party Connections Could Hurt
Across party lines, the public sees earmarking by their congressional candidates as more of an asset than a liability. Americans are divided on the value of Obama in November, while both Palin’s support and Tea Party affiliation are seen by more as negative than positive. On energy, public backs a wide range of goals and policies.
Public Opinion in Pakistan: Concern About Extremist Threat Slips
Pakistanis have grown markedly less concerned about extremist groups, and are far more worried about the external threat from India. America’s image remains negative and support for U.S. involvement in the fight against extremists has waned. Many Pakistanis endorse extreme views about law, religion and society.
Blogs Discover, Discuss Altered BP Photo
A blogger’s discovery of BP’s altered photo of its crisis center was the top story in the blogosphere. Also, many blogs linking to a column bemoaning the loss of the traditional newsroom agreed with the author.
How Young Latinos Communicate with Friends in the Digital Age
While they still trail their non-Latino counterparts, young Latinos make extensive use of mobile technology. But use of cell phones and text messages differs notably among young Hispanics by nativity.
Sherrod Story: Heavy Coverage, Modest Interest
Despite heavy coverage of the Shirley Sherrod affair, the oil leak in the Gulf was by far the public’s most closely followed news story.
The Story of Shirley Sherrod: Reconstruction of a Media Mess
A media analysis of the Shirley Sherrod story traces how the story evolved and played out in the media in that frantic period between the July 19 release of the video and the July 21 apologies to Sherrod from Gibbs and Vilsack as well as Fox News host Bill O’Reilly.
Economy Still Tops News Agenda
For four days, Shirley Sherrod consumed 41% of the cable news airtime, helping her become the top newsmaker of the week. The Washington Post’s series on gathering intelligence sparked a debate, and demonstrated a new media trend.
Latino Digital Divide: Native Born vs. Foreign Born
While rates of internet and cell phone use among native-born Hispanics are relatively high, technology use for the full population of Hispanics continues to lag behind the use rates of the non-Hispanic population.
Obama’s Policies Seen as Better than Bush’s for Improving the Economy
As Congress gears up for debate over the tax cuts passed when Bush was president, the public is divided, with roughly equal numbers in favor of keeping all of Bush’s tax cuts, repealing only those for wealthy Americans, or scrapping them entirely.
