Activism in the Social Media Age
As the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag turns 5 years old, a look at its evolution on Twitter and how Americans view social media's impact on political and civic engagement
Declining Majority of Online Adults Say the Internet Has Been Good for Society
At the same time, the contours of connectivity are shifting: One-in-five Americans (20%) are now ‘smartphone only’ internet users at home.
Buying spree brings more local TV stations to fewer big companies
As of 2016, Sinclair, Nexstar, Gray, Tegna and Tribune owned an estimated 37% of all full-power local TV stations in the country.
Local and regional news coverage about the Flint water crisis was minimal in 2014
Flint water crisis draws local and regional news media attention as the extent of water contamination comes to light
After years as a local issue, national media turned to the Flint water crisis in 2016
Q&A: Using Google search data to study public interest in the Flint water crisis
Read an interview with Director of Journalism Research Amy Mitchell, who helped author the study.
Whites more likely than nonwhites to have spoken to a local journalist
Only 26% of U.S. adults say they have been interviewed by a local journalist. Among those who have, not everyone’s voice is equally likely to be heard.
Civic Engagement Strongly Tied to Local News Habits
Americans who are highly attached to their communities and who always vote in local elections stand out for displaying stronger local news habits than those less engaged.
Number of U.S. low-power FM radio stations has nearly doubled since 2014
A surge in new low-power FM (LPFM) community radio stations that have been licensed to join the FM airwaves is partially due to a new window for applications that the FCC opened.
