American Public Rejects Media
A new media deal? This trend is being confirmed by the Pew Research Center Institute. Even though TV remains the most used information source in the U.S., the public now consults internet news sources as often as the traditional paper press. One thing, however, continues to increase: skepticism towards the media.
The evolution of Information Consumption (a Pew Research Center study)
The Americans public rejects the media. That is one finding of a recent study by the Pew Research Center. The percentage of Americans who do not consult any news source during a given day continues to increase. During the last 10 years, this number grew from 14 to 19% of the population. The researchers behind the study cite a “disengagement” by the American public. The phenomenon first affects seniors (over the age of 65) then the middle-aged (30-34 years old) and finally the youngest (18-24 years old).
Internet consulted as much as paper press
Television is still America's favorite information source, but Americans now consult internet news sites as much as the paper press. During the last two years, the proportion of Americans who read internet news at least three times a week has increased from 31 to 37%. In May 2008, 34% of people surveyed cited reading a newspaper the day before, versus 40% in 2006. Reading newspapers on a regular basis is, therefore, a decreasing trend: 27% now vs. 34% in 2006.
As a whole, informing oneself through any source is decreasing: 3% vs. 4% in 2006. People who only get informed online saw their ranks increasing from 2% in 2006 to 4% now, but the growth of this trend doesn't compensate for the loss of all the people who used to get their news from the paper press.
Traditionalists, Integrators and net consumers
The Pew Research Center insists the profiles depend upon the age and the sociological origin. “Traditionalists” (46%), the oldest with fewer diplomas and money than on average, mostly get their news from the television. “Integrators” (23%), middle-aged, with more degrees than the average, combine information sources: internet and television. They are the public targeted by ads, which explains why the papers' editors continually suffer advertising revenue losses even though the associated gains are seen online. Finally, “Net Consummers” (13%), younger than average males, with the most degrees, avoid mainstream media sources to select their own sources online. They most notably frequent political blogs.
A trust crisis
This new study confirms that, during the last two years, the way people inform themselves is definitely changing. A very important constant, even though it's ignored in most countries, is that the public is increasingly distrustful that their sources are accurate or even honest. This trend is rapidly increasing.
The evolution of Information Consumption (a Pew Research Center study)
The Americans public rejects the media. That is one finding of a recent study by the Pew Research Center. The percentage of Americans who do not consult any news source during a given day continues to increase. During the last 10 years, this number grew from 14 to 19% of the population. The researchers behind the study cite a “disengagement” by the American public. The phenomenon first affects seniors (over the age of 65) then the middle-aged (30-34 years old) and finally the youngest (18-24 years old).
Internet consulted as much as paper press
Television is still America's favorite information source, but Americans now consult internet news sites as much as the paper press. During the last two years, the proportion of Americans who read internet news at least three times a week has increased from 31 to 37%. In May 2008, 34% of people surveyed cited reading a newspaper the day before, versus 40% in 2006. Reading newspapers on a regular basis is, therefore, a decreasing trend: 27% now vs. 34% in 2006.
As a whole, informing oneself through any source is decreasing: 3% vs. 4% in 2006. People who only get informed online saw their ranks increasing from 2% in 2006 to 4% now, but the growth of this trend doesn't compensate for the loss of all the people who used to get their news from the paper press.
Traditionalists, Integrators and net consumers
The Pew Research Center insists the profiles depend upon the age and the sociological origin. “Traditionalists” (46%), the oldest with fewer diplomas and money than on average, mostly get their news from the television. “Integrators” (23%), middle-aged, with more degrees than the average, combine information sources: internet and television. They are the public targeted by ads, which explains why the papers' editors continually suffer advertising revenue losses even though the associated gains are seen online. Finally, “Net Consummers” (13%), younger than average males, with the most degrees, avoid mainstream media sources to select their own sources online. They most notably frequent political blogs.
A trust crisis
This new study confirms that, during the last two years, the way people inform themselves is definitely changing. A very important constant, even though it's ignored in most countries, is that the public is increasingly distrustful that their sources are accurate or even honest. This trend is rapidly increasing.