Since 2004, Pew Research Center has issued an annual report on key audience and economic indicators for a variety of sectors within the U.S. news media industry. These data speak to the shifting ways in which Americans seek out news and information, how news organizations get their revenue, and the resources available to American journalists as they seek to inform the public about important events of the day. The press is sometimes called the fourth branch of government, but in the U.S., it’s also very much a business – one whose ability to serve the public is dependent on its ability to attract eyeballs and dollars.
Over the years, the Center’s approach to these indicators has evolved along with the industry, carefully considering the metrics, sectors and format in which the data appear. This year, instead of a single summary report, a series of fact sheets showcasing the most important current and historical data points for each sector – in an easy-to-digest format – will be rolled out a few at a time over the coming months.
Listed below are the 2017 fact sheets released so far, along with links to related reports that provide other angles of analysis about the news media industry. (State of the News Media reports from 2004-2016 are archived as PDFs and available here.) Check back in the coming months as the collection below grows – and in the years to come as these fact sheets continue to be updated with the latest data.
UGA: The job market tightens, but new journalism grads remain upbeat
Job growth for recent journalism and mass communication grads stalled in 2013 with minority students hit particularly hard by the slowdown, a new survey shows.
As news business takes a hit, the number of black journalists declines
The number of black journalists working at U.S. daily newspapers has dropped 40% since 1997. That represents a loss of almost 1,200 journalists — from 2,946 in 1997 to 1,754 in 2013.
ASNE: Two-thirds of U.S. newspapers employ women in top editing jobs
This year marks the first time that ASNE has tried to identify women in the very top tier of newspaper leadership.
5 facts about the state of local TV newsrooms
Despite revenue from political ads and fees paid by cable and other companies to carry their programming, the picture for local TV newsrooms is a mixed one.
How statehouse reporting power compares with a state’s population
State population is one key indicator of the size of a statehouse press corps.
5 facts about alternative weeklies
This week’s 37th annual convention of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia comes at a time of challenge and turmoil in the “alt weekly” world. Here are 5 facts about trends in the industry.
5 key takeaways from our census of statehouse reporters
To inform citizens about what is happening in America’s 50 statehouses, there are currently 1,592 journalists assigned to cover their workings, according to a new Pew Research report.
America’s Shifting Statehouse Press
A new study finds 1,592 journalists reporting from U.S. statehouses where the ranks of newspaper reporters have shrunk, the number of journalists at nontraditional outlets has grown and observers worry about the quality of coverage.
Time Inc. spinoff reflects a troubled magazine business
Time Inc.’s troubles are emblematic of the economic challenges facing the consumer magazine industry.
As the New York Times’ first black executive editor, Dean Baquet is in a distinct minority
The ascension of Dean Baquet—the first African-American to run the paper’s newsroom—has renewed the focus on minority hiring in the news industry.
