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Digital News Landscape

data essay

What Is News?

As people are exposed to more information from more sources than ever before, how they define and feel about “news” has become less clear-cut.

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Digital News Landscape

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  • short reads

    What drove spike in public comments on net neutrality? Likely, a comedian

    While some evidence suggests that the amount of news media coverage mirrored that of the public’s comments on the FCC’s proposed net neutrality policy changes, our analysis found that more likely drivers of comments were grassroots efforts, as well as a popular comedian’s 13-minute segment on net neutrality that aired on cable television and found a large online audience.

  • short reads
    How people on Facebook use it for news

    Where was Ferguson in my Facebook feed?

    There were big differences in the content related to Ferguson on Twitter and Facebook. Was the reason what users wanted from each, or the sites’ algorithms?

  • report

    The EU Elections on Twitter

    An analysis of the Twitter conversation on the eve of the European Union elections suggest that those social media users are divided on the value of the EU and not particularly excited about the candidates for the European Commission presidency.

  • short reads

    Net neutrality: A made-for-web debate

    The complex issue of net neutrality is not likely to be dinner conversation for many in the U.S. Still, the Federal Communications Commission vote expected today could dramatically impact the flow of digital content Americans receive, not to mention the bottom line for many major U.S. technology and content companies. So, where could the public […]

  • report

    State of the News Media 2014

    In many ways, 2013 and early 2014 brought a level of energy to the news industry not seen for a long time. Even as challenges of the past several years continue and new ones emerge, the activities this year have created a new sense of optimism – or perhaps hope – for the future of American journalism.

  • report

    Social, Search and Direct

    Direct visitors to 26 top news sites—those who type in the news outlet’s URL or have the address bookmarked—are far more engaged with that news than users who arrive from Facebook or a search engine, according to a new analysis of online traffic data.

  • report

    Media Coverage of Pope Francis’ First Year

    One year into Francis’ papacy, an analysis by the Pew Research Center finds that the former Jesuit archbishop – who was named Time’s Person of the Year – ranked among the top global newsmakers in major U.S.-based digital news outlets.

  • short reads

    Facebook is a news source for many, but only incidentally

    Unlike Twitter, which has developed into a go-to source for breaking news, only 28% of Facebook news consumers have ever used the service to track an unfolding news story. And even among that sub-subgroup, fewer than half (41%) said Facebook was among the first places they’d turn to keep up with a breaking news event.