Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Introduction: The rise of mobile The rise of mobile digital devices has already altered the environment of local news and information. Traditional news organizations and other community-based information providers are trying to respond to audience interest with pervasive, portable, real-time local information. To understand this changing information environment, the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence […]
The mainstream media offer the American public a divided view of how information technology influences society, according to a new PEJ study. Messages such as technology making life easier often vie with concerns about privacy and safety. How do the media portray technology? Which companies get the most coverage? Do social media and blogs treat the subject differently than traditional media? A year-long study of technology coverage answers these and other questions.
Bloggers were sharply critical of Google last week, accusing the internet giant of shifting its position on a key online policy. Meanwhile, a column arguing against a mosque near the site of Ground Zero drew plaudits. On Twitter, a baseball mishap made the roster of top stories while the No. 1 YouTube video had Boy Scouts booing Barack Obama.
Last week, a blogger’s discovery of a doctored BP photograph generated the most interest in the blogosphere. Next came a discussion of the changing news business triggered by a humorous column from a veteran journalist. On Twitter, users were most interested in tracking how social networking sites were faring. On YouTube, an airborne donkey drew the most hits.
We also asked about the way in which online content is managed and distributed. The news organizations are experimenting with new modes of delivery and display, but overall the survey results suggest they remain fairly traditional in their approach to the Web. Even as consumers are increasingly following individual stories of their own—accessing stories through […]