Holiday Haranguings
The continuing health care debate, and an insurgent campaign for the top of the British pop charts were at the center of social media commentary.
No Denying the Heat of Global Warming Debate in the Blogosphere
Climate change received more attention online than any other subject in a given week this year. Much of the added fuel came from global warming believers who joined a debate that had been dominated by skeptics.
Media Debate Climate Change
The press used “Climate-gate” and Copenhagen as sparks to question the science of global warming, giving the topic by far its most coverage since PEJ began tracking the news.
Minarets, Climate Controversies Online
Arguments over Switzerland’s banning the building of minarets and a continuing debate over climate change filled blogs last week.
Surge in Afghanistan Coverage
The war in Afghanistan, as was the case with coverage of Iraq, is a bigger story when it is more a domestic political story than one about combat. Also, morning shows propel Woods and the Salahis to the top of the news agenda, but well below the war.
Media Coverage of Hispanics
A six-month media analysis finds little coverage of the Latino community outside of major events, with the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor by far the the biggest storyline. Immigration was featured in fewer than one-in-ten stories about Hispanics.
Blogs Find Fox News Story on SEALs
A report about the court martial of three Navy SEALs, little covered in the mainstream press, dominated conversation online.
Hardly Rogue: Press Follows Palin
The former Alaskan governor’s book tour trailed only health care and the economy in media attention, and was especially well received in the talk show world.
Health Care and Fort Hood Stir Passions
The tone and tenor of the online conversation in many ways mirrored that of talk radio and cable television last week.
Shooter’s Past Creates More News
Unlike previous violent crimes that dominated media attention, the coverage and debate over the shooting at Fort Hood did not dissipate in its second week.
