Hot Topics
Survey Reports
June 8, 2004
News Audiences Increasingly Politicized
Questionnaire Part 2
Q.25 On another subject... Thinking about a typical weekday, do you normally start your
morning with some type of news, or not?
April 2002 April 1998
71 Yes 68 67
29 No 32 33
* Don't know/Refused * *
100 100 100
Q.26 On weekdays, do you typically read, watch, or listen to the news DURING THE COURSE OF
THE DAY, or not?
April 2002 April 1998
73 Yes 61 74
27 No 39 26
* Don't know/Refused * *
100 100 100
Q.27 On weekdays, do you typically read, watch or listen to the news AROUND THE DINNER HOUR,
or not?
April 2002 April 1998
60 Yes 55 63
40 No 45 37
* Don't know/Refused * *
100 100 100
Q.28 On weekdays, do you typically read, watch or listen to the news LATE IN THE EVENING,
or not?
April 2002 April 1998
63 Yes 60 61
37 No 40 39
* Don't know/Refused * *
100 100 100
NO QUESTIONS 29 THRU 33
ASK ALL:
Just in general
Q.34 How much do you enjoy keeping up with the news a lot, some, not much, or not at all?
May April April April June Feb
2002 2002 2000 1998 1995 1994
52 A lot 52 48 45 50 54 53
37 Some 37 36 40 37 34 35
7 Not Much 7 11 12 11 8 9
3 Not at all 3 4 3 2 3 2
1 Don't know/Refused 1 1 * * 1 1
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.35 How often, if ever, do you listen to radio shows that invite listeners to call in to
discuss current events, public issues and politics regularly, sometimes, rarely
or never?
Regularly Sometimes Rarely Never DK/Ref
April, 2004 17 23 22 38 *=100
April, 2002 17 20 22 41 *=100
April, 2000 14 23 23 40 *=100
August, 1999 18 23 24 35 *=100
Early September, 1998 23 25 23 29 *=100
April, 1998 13 22 24 41 *=100
October, 1997 18 28 25 29 *=100
August, 1997 17 24 28 31 *=100
Early September, 1996 15 25 22 37 1=100
July, 1996 16 24 27 33 *=100
June, 1996 17 25 26 31 1=100
April, 1996 13 23 25 39 *=100
March, 1996 18 28 24 30 *=100
October, 1995 18 33 25 24 *=100
June, 1995 15 19 27 39 *=100
April, 1995 19 30 24 27 *=100
November, 1994 16 31 26 26 1=100
July, 1994 17 29 24 30 *=100
December, 1993 23 22 25 30 0=100
April, 1993 23 32 23 22 *=100
Q.36 Some people say they feel overloaded with information these days, considering all the
TV news shows, magazines, newspapers, and computer information services. Others say
they like having so much information to choose from. How about you... do you feel
overloaded, or do you like having so much information available?
April April Nov April June
2002 2000 1998 1998 1995
28 Overloaded 26 30 28 28 23
64 Like it 66 62 62 67 64
5 Other (VOL) 6 5 6 2 11
3 Don't know/Refused 2 3 4 3 2
100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.37 Do you use a computer at your workplace, at school, at home, or anywhere else on at
least an occasional basis?
Q.38 Do you ever go online to access the Internet or World Wide Web or to send and receive
email?
Based on Total Respondents:
Computer User Goes Online
Yes No DK/Ref Yes No DK/Ref
April, 2004 73 27 0=100 66 34 *=100
March, 2004* 75 25 *=100 68 32 *=100
August, 2003 77 23 *=100 67 33 *=100
Mid-July, 2003 75 25 *=100 65 35 *=100
January, 2003 76 24 0=100 67 33 *=100
December, 2002 76 24 *=100 67 33 *=100
Early October, 2002 75 25 *=100 63 37 *=100
August, 2002 78 22 *=100 69 31 *=100
June, 2002 74 26 *=100 66 34 *=100
May, 2002 75 25 *=100 66 34 *=100
April, 2002 71 29 *=100 62 38 0=100
February, 2002 71 29 *=100 62 38 0=100
January, 2002 73 27 0=100 62 38 0=100
Mid-November, 2001 73 27 0=100 62 38 0=100
Mid-September, 2001 72 28 *=100 62 38 *=100
June, 2001 72 28 *=100 62 38 0=100
May, 2001 75 25 *=100 64 36 0=100
April, 2001 72 28 *=100 62 38 0=100
February, 2001 72 28 0=100 60 40 *=100
January, 2001 71 29 *=100 61 39 0=100
July, 2000 68 31 1=100 55 45 *=100
June, 2000 68 31 1=100 56 44 *=100
April, 2000 68 32 *=100 54 46 *=100
March, 2000 72 28 0=100 61 39 0=100
February, 2000 67 33 *=100 52 48 0=100
January, 2000 68 32 *=100 52 48 *=100
December, 1999 67 33 *=100 53 47 0=100
October, 1999 67 33 *=100 50 50 0=100
Late September, 1999 68 32 *=100 52 48 *=100
September, 1999 70 30 *=100 53 47 0=100
August, 1999 67 33 *=100 52 48 0=100
July, 1999 68 32 *=100 49 51 0=100
June, 1999 64 35 1=100 50 50 *=100
May, 1999 66 33 1=100 48 52 0=100
April, 1999 71 29 *=100 51 49 *=100
March, 1999 68 32 *=100 49 51 *=100
February, 1999 68 32 *=100 49 51 *=100
January, 1999 69 31 *=100 47 53 *=100
Early December, 1998 64 36 *=100 42 58 0=100
November, 1998 -- -- -- 37 63 *=100
Early September, 1998 64 36 *=100 42 58 *=100
Late August, 1998 66 34 0=100 43 57 *=100
Early August, 1998 66 34 *=100 41 59 *=100
April, 1998 61 39 *=100 36 64 0=100
January, 1998 65 35 *=100 37 63 0=100
November, 1997 66 34 *=100 36 63 1=100
June, 1997 60 40 0=100 29 71 0=100
Early September, 1996 56 44 *=100 22 78 0=100
July, 1996 56 44 *=100 23 77 0=100
April, 1996 58 42 *=100 21 79 *=100
March, 1996 61 39 *=100 22 78 0=100
February, 1996 60 40 0=100 21 79 *=100
January, 1996 59 41 0=100 21 79 0=100
June, 1995 -- -- -- 14 86 *=100
* Beginning in 2004, the online use question is asked of all respondents (in previous years
it was asked only of those who identified themselves as computer users). This modification
was made to adjust to changes in technology and means of access to the Internet, and
increases the percent who are classified as Internet users by 1-2 percentage points.
IF "YES" (Q.38=1) ASK:
Q.39 How frequently do you go online to get NEWS... would you say every day, 3 to 5 days per
week, 1 or 2 days per week, once every few weeks, or less often?
Early Early
April April Oct Aug July June Dec Nov Sept April June
2002 2000 1999 1999 1999 1999 1998 1998 1998 1998 1995
27 Everyday 25 27 25 22 21 22 25 10 23 18 6
18 3-5 days per week 16 15 14 15 15 18 17 11 16 17 9
15 1-2 days per week 16 19 22 19 22 22 22 16 21 20 15
12 Once every few weeks 13 12 11 15 14 14 10 13 14 15 13
17 Less often 21 18 20 20 19 18 18 20 19 21 28
11 No/Never (VOL.) 9 9 8 9 9 7 8 30 7 9 29
* Don't know/Refused * * * * 0 0 * * * * *
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
NO QUESTION 40
ASK ALL:
Next I would like to ask you about some things that have been in the news. Not everyone
will have heard about them [ROTATE Q.41 THRU Q.44]
Q.41 Do you happen to know which political party has a majority in the U.S. House
of Representatives?
June Aug Dec June April June
2001 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
56 Republican (Correct) 31 55 56 50 70 73
8 Democratic 34 8 11 6 8 5
36 Don't know/Refused 35 37 33 44 22 22
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.42 Do you know the name of the terrorist organization that is responsible for the
September 11th attacks on the United States? [DO NOT READ]
66 Al Qaeda (Correct)
5 Mentions of Osama bin Laden
5 Other name or reference
24 No, Don't know
100
Q.43 In the recent trial involving Martha Stewart, can you recall whether
[READ AND RANDOMIZE]?
79 She was found guilty (Correct)
1 She was found innocent [OR]
4 There was a mistrial
16 No, Don't know (VOL. DO NOT READ)
100
Q.44 Since the start of military action in Iraq last March, about how many U.S. soldiers have
been killed? To the best of your knowledge, has it been under 500, 500 to 1000,
1000 to 2000, or more than 2000?
[INTERVIEWER: IF RESPONDENT GIVES A SPECIFIC NUMBER, ENTER IN THE
APPROPRIATE RANGE WITHOUT PROMPTING. IF RESPONDENT SAYS "500", "1,000" OR
"2,000", PROMPT "Would you say it is a little over or a little under ____?]
28 Under 500
55 500 to 1,000 (Correct)
6 1,000 to 2,000
4 More than 2,000
7 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.45 Now, I'm going to read you a list of different types of news. Please tell me how
closely you follow this type of news either in the newspaper, on television, or on
radio...very closely, somewhat closely, not very closely, or not at all closely?
First, [READ AND ROTATE]
Very Somewhat Not Very Not at all Don't
Closely Closely Closely Closely Know
a. News about political figures and
events in Washington 24 45 17 14 *=100
April, 2002 21 45 19 15 *=100
April, 2000 17 43 23 17 *=100
April, 1998 19 46 22 13 *=100
April, 1996 16 43 28 13 *=100
b. Sports 25 27 17 31 *=100
April, 2002 25 28 18 29 *=100
April, 2000 27 25 19 29 *=100
April, 1998 27 28 18 27 *=100
April, 1996 26 28 21 25 *=100
c. Business and finance 14 37 24 25 *=100
April, 2002 15 35 25 25 *=100
April, 2000 14 36 27 23 *=100
April, 1998 17 36 24 23 *=100
April, 1996 13 37 31 19 *=100
d. International affairs 24 44 16 16 *=100
April, 2002 21 44 18 17 *=100
April, 2000 14 45 24 17 *=100
April, 1998 16 46 23 15 *=100
April, 1996 16 46 26 12 *=100
e. Local government 22 42 20 16 *=100
April, 2002 22 43 19 16 *=100
April, 2000 20 43 21 16 *=100
April, 1998 23 44 20 13 *=100
April, 1996 24 43 21 12 *=100
f. Religion 20 35 22 23 *=100
April, 2002 19 36 22 22 1=100
April, 2000 21 32 24 23 *=100
April, 1998 18 33 25 24 *=100
April, 1996 17 31 29 23 *=100
g. People and events in your
own community 28 45 16 11 *=100
April, 2002 31 44 14 11 *=100
April, 2000 26 47 17 10 *=100
April, 1998 34 45 14 7 *=100
April, 1996 35 44 14 7 *=100
h. Entertainment 15 42 25 18 *=100
April, 2002 14 42 25 19 *=100
April, 2000 15 41 28 16 *=100
April, 1998 16 43 27 14 *=100
April, 1996 15 42 29 14 *=100
i. Consumer news 13 46 21 19 1=100
April, 2002 12 41 25 22 *=100
April, 2000 12 45 24 18 1=100
April, 1998 15 46 22 17 *=100
April, 1996 14 45 26 15 *=100
j. Science and technology 16 42 21 21 *=100
April, 2002 17 40 21 22 *=100
April, 2000 18 45 20 17 *=100
April, 1998 22 41 19 18 *=100
April, 1996 20 42 24 14 *=100
k. Health news 26 46 14 13 1=100
April, 2002 26 45 16 13 *=100
April, 2000 29 45 15 11 *=100
April, 1998 34 46 12 8 *=100
April, 1996 34 44 14 7 1=100
l. Crime 32 45 14 8 1=100
April, 2002 30 46 14 9 1=100
April, 2000 30 45 16 9 *=100
April, 1998 36 44 13 7 *=100
April, 1996 41 43 10 6 *=100
m. Culture and the arts 10 33 27 29 1=100
April, 2002 9 31 28 32 *=100
April, 2000 10 32 28 29 1=100
April, 1998 12 33 29 26 *=100
April, 1996 9 34 32 25 *=100
n. The weather 53 34 8 5 *=100
ROTATE SUBJECT OF QUESTIONS 46a THRU 46c, KEEPING QUESTION WORDING IN ORDER:*
Q.46a Which of the following two statements best describes you: "I follow INTERNATIONAL
news closely ONLY when something important is happening" OR "I follow INTERNATIONAL
news closely most of the time, whether or not something important is happening"?
April April April
2002 2000 1998
Follow INTERNATIONAL news closely ONLY when
47 something important is happening 61 64 63
52 Follow INTERNATIONAL news closely MOST of the time 37 33 34
1 Don't know/Refused 2 3 3
100 100 100 100
* In April 2002 and earlier the Q.46a-Q.46c series included the words “... something important
or interesting is happening.” Also in previous years, the questions were rotated and did not
include the transitions presented here.
Q.46b I'd like to ask the same question, but about NATIONAL news Which best describes
you: "I follow NATIONAL news closely ONLY when something important is happening"
OR "I follow NATIONAL news closely most of the time, whether or not something
important is happening"?
April April April
2002 2000 1998
Follow NATIONAL news closely ONLY when something
43 important is happening 45 50 46
55 Follow NATIONAL news closely MOST of the time 53 48 52
2 Don't know/Refused 2 2 2
100 100 100 100
Q.46c And just once more about LOCAL COMMUNITY news Which best describes you: "I follow
LOCAL COMMUNITY news closely ONLY when something important is happening" OR
"I follow LOCAL COMMUNITY news closely most of the time, whether or not something
important is happening"?
April April April
2002 2000 1998
Follow LOCAL COMMUNITY news closely ONLY when
43 something important is happening 41 40 38
55 Follow LOCAL COMMUNITY news closely MOST of the time 56 58 61
2 Don't know/Refused 3 2 1
100 100 100 100
On another subject...
Q.47 Do you currently live in an area where you could get Cable TV if you wanted it?
April April April April Feb
2002 2000 1998 1996 1994
91 Yes 92 91 91 92 89
8 No 8 9 9 8 10
1 Don't know/Refused * * * * 1
100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK IF YES (1 IN Q.47):
Q.48 Do you currently subscribe to Cable TV?
BASED ON TOTAL RESPONDENTS: April April April April Feb
2002 2000 1998 1996 1994
64 Yes 66 67 67 69 64
27 No 26 24 24 23 25
9 Don't know/Refused/No cable access 8 9 9 8 11
100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.49 Do you currently subscribe to a satellite television service such as DirecTV or the
Dish Network?
25 Yes
74 No
1 Don't know/Refused
100
TREND FOR COMPARISON:
Do you happen to have [READ; ROTATE], or not? How about...
Yes No DK/Ref
A satellite dish
April, 2002 21 79 *=100
April, 2000 18 82 *=100
June, 1995 6 94 *=100
February, 1994 4 96 *=100
Q.50 Now I'm going to read a series of statements about the news. For each statement,
please tell me if you completely agree with it, mostly agree with it, mostly disagree
with it, or completely disagree with it. The first one is... [READ AND ROTATE]
(VOL)
Don't
Completely Mostly Mostly Completely Watch DK/
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree the news Ref
a. I find that I often watch the
news with my remote control in
hand, flipping to other channels
when I'm not interested in the
topic 32 30 17 18 2 1=100
April, 2002 31 28 17 20 2 2=100
April, 2000 36 26 17 18 2 1=100
April, 1998 29 27 21 21 1 1=100
b. People who decide what to put on
TV news or in the newspapers are
out of touch with people like me 17 31 35 13 n/a 4=100
April, 2002 14 29 36 15 n/a 6=100
April, 2000 18 35 34 10 n/a 3=100
c. I often don't have enough
background information to follow
news stories 10 32 38 18 n/a 2=100
d. I am often too busy to keep up
with the news 12 24 35 27 n/a 2=100
e. Watching and reading the news
often depresses me 15 29 31 23 n/a 2=100
f. I often don't trust what news
organizations are saying 15 38 34 9 n/a 4=100
g. I want the news to contain
information that is helpful in
my daily life 47 40 8 3 n/a 2=100
Q.51 Are you more the kind of person who watches or listens to the news at regular times,
or are you more the kind of person who checks in on the news from time to time?
April 2002
52 Watch/listen at regular times 49
46 Checks in from time to time 48
1 Neither [VOL] 2
1 Don't know/Refused 1
100 100
Q.52 For major news stories, what do you usually want in the news? Are you mostly
interested in the HEADLINES, do you want the headlines PLUS some further reporting
on what happened, or do you want in-depth analysis of the news by experts?
18 The headlines
37 Headlines plus some reporting on what happened
40 In-depth analysis of the news by experts
5 Don't know/Refused
100
Q.53 Which comes closer to describing your view of the news media [READ AND ROTATE]
45 All the news media are pretty much the same to me
OR
54 There are a few news sources I trust more than others
2 [DO NOT READ] Don't know/Refused [VOL.]
100
Q.54 There are a lot of different ways the news is presented these days. Do you generally
LIKE it or DISLIKE it when a news source [INSERT ITEM, RANDOMIZE], or doesn't it
matter to you?
Doesn't Don't Know/
Like Dislike Matter Refused
a. Is sometimes funny 46 6 47 1=100
b. Includes ordinary Americans giving their views 49 7 43 1=100
c. Has in depth interviews with political leaders
and policymakers 46 9 44 1=100
d. Shares your point of view on politics and issues 36 5 58 1=100
e. Presents debates between people with differing
points of view 55 6 38 1=100
f. Stirs your emotions 29 12 56 3=100
g. Makes the news enjoyable and entertaining 48 6 45 1=100
h. Has reporters and anchors with pleasant
personalities 53 3 43 1=100
Q.55 What do you find gives you the best understanding of major news events? [READ AND ROTATE]
40 Reading or hearing the facts about what happened
OR
55 Seeing pictures and video showing what happened
5 [DO NOT READ] Don't know/Refused [VOL.]
100
Q.56 Here are a couple of news stories from the past year. Did you happen to follow news
about [INSERT ITEM, ROTATE] very closely, fairly closely, not too closely, or not
at all closely as it was developing?
Very Fairly Not too Not at all
Closely Closely Closely Closely DK/Ref
a. The murder of Laci Peterson 20 37 24 17 2=100
July, 2003 22 34 26 17 1=100
May, 2003 31 31 21 16 1=100
b. Basketball star Kobe Bryant being
accused of sexual assault 16 37 29 17 1=100
October, 2003 14 28 29 28 1=100
August, 2003 17 30 28 24 1=100
NO QUESTIONS 57 THRU 69
IF GOES ONLINE FOR NEWS ONCE A WEEK OR MORE (Q.39 = 1,2,3) ASK [N=1222]:
Earlier you said you get some news from the Internet
Q.70 Since you started getting news online, are you using other sources of news MORE often,
LESS often, or about the same as you used to?
April April Oct Nov April June
2002 2000 1999 1998 1998 1995
9 Yes, more often 10 10 9 16 8 4
15 Yes, less often 12 18 17 11 11 12
4 Yes, some more, others less 5 14 6 10 5 8
71 No, about the same 73 58 68 63 76 76
1 Don't know/Refused * * * * * 0
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
IF "MORE OFTEN (Q.70=1) ASK [N=111]:
Q.71 Which sources are you using MORE often? [DO NOT READ LIST; ACCEPT MULTIPLE
RESPONSES.]
April April April June
2002 2000 1998 1995
28 Newspapers 31 24 36 60
30 Television 31 38 47 58
6 Magazines 4 5 7 23
16 Radio 14 9 10 26
39 Other 33 30 22 13
3 Don't know/Refused 4 9 0 0
IF "LESS OFTEN" OR "SOME MORE, SOME LESS" (Q.70=2,3) ASK [N=239]:
Q.72 Which sources are you using LESS often? [DO NOT READ LIST; ACCEPT MULTIPLE
RESPONSES.]
April April April June
2002 2000 1998 1995
39 Newspapers 42 35 43 43
47 Television 36 41 52 37
8 Magazines 16 11 13 14
13 Radio 18 15 17 28
5 Other 9 8 2 10
5 Don't know/Refused 4 9 4 3
IF GOES ONLINE FOR NEWS (Q. 39=1-5) ASK [N=1806]:
Q.73 Do you sometimes get [INSERT ITEM] online, or not? [ROTATE ITEMS; READ FULL STEM FOR
EACH ITEM]
BASED ON THOSE WHO GO ONLINE FOR NEWS:
Yes No DK
a. Political news 54 46 *=100
April, 2002 50 50 *=100
April, 2000 39 61 *=100
November, 1998 43 57 *=100
April, 1998 40 60 0=100
October, 1996 46 54 *=100
b. Sports news 45 55 *=100
April, 2002 47 53 *=100
April, 2000 42 58 *=100
November, 1998 47 53 0=100
April, 1998 39 61 0=100
October, 1996 46 54 0=100
c. International news 54 46 *=100
April, 2002 55 45 *=100
April, 2000 45 55 *=100
November, 1998 47 53 0=100
April, 1998 41 59 0=100
October, 1996 45 55 0=100
d. News about science
and health 58 42 *=100
April, 2002 60 40 *=100
April, 2000 63 37 *=100
April, 1998 64 36 0=100
October, 1996 58 42 0=100
e. News about technology 53 47 *=100
April, 2002 54 46 *=100
April, 2000 59 41 0=100
November, 1998 59 41 0=100
April, 1998 60 40 0=100
October, 1996 64 36 *=100
f. Weather 76 24 0=100
April, 2002 70 30 0=100
April, 2000 66 34 0=100
November, 1998 64 36 0=100
April, 1998 48 52 0=100
October, 1996 47 53 0=100
g. Entertainment news 46 54 *=100
April, 2002 44 56 *=100
April, 2000 44 56 *=100
November, 1998 58 42 *=100
April, 1998 45 55 0=100
October, 1996 50 50 *=100
h. Local news 45 55 *=100
April, 2002 42 58 0=100
April, 2000 37 63 0=100
November, 1998 42 58 0=100
April, 1998 28 72 0=100
October, 1996 27 73 0=100
ASK FORM 1 ONLY:
i.F1 Business news 46 54 *=100 (N=904)
April, 2002 48 52 0=100
April, 2000 53 47 *=100
November, 1998 58 42 0=100
October, 1996 53 47 *=100
ASK FORM 2 ONLY:
j.F2 Business and
financial news 49 50 1=100 (N=902)
April, 2002 51 49 *=100
IF GOES ONLINE FOR NEWS (Q.39 = 1-5) ASK [N=1806]:
Q.74 Do you use any news services that send you news updates either in your e-mail or
directly to your computer screen?
26 Yes
74 No
* Don't know
100
IF GOES ONLINE FOR NEWS (Q.39 = 1-5) ASK [N=1806]:
Q.75 Have you ever used search engines such as Google or Yahoo to search for news stories
on a particular subject you are interested in? [IF YES] How often do you do this,
every day, 3 to 5 days per week, 1 or 2 days per week, once every few weeks, or
less often?
7 Yes, Every day
12 Yes, 3-5 days per week
15 Yes, 1-2 days per week
18 Yes, Once every few weeks
18 Yes, Less often
30 No, Never done this
* Don't know/Refused [VOL.]
100
IF INTERNET USER (Q.38=1) ASK [N=2049]:
Q.76 When you go online do you ever come across news when you may have been going online
for a purpose other than to get the news?
April Nov Oct Nov April Oct
2002 2000 1999 1998 1998 1996
73 Yes 65 45 55 48 54 53
27 No 35 53 44 51 45 45
* Don't know/Refused * 2 1 1 1 2
100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ASK ALL:
Finally, I'd like to ask you a few questions for statistical purposes only.
Q.77 Do you have any type of personal computer, including laptops, in your home?
April April Nov June Feb
2002 2000 1998 1995 1994
73 Yes 65 59 43 36 31
27 No 35 41 57 64 69
0 Don't know/Refused * * * * 0
100 100 100 100 100 100
Q.78 Do you happen to have [INSERT ITEM, IN ORDER], or not? How about...
Yes No DK/Ref
a. A cell phone 68 32 *=100
April, 2002 64 36 *=100
April, 2000 53 47 *=100
June, 1995 24 76 *=100
b. A Palm Pilot, Blackberry
or other similar product 14 83 3=100
April, 2002 11 87 2=100
April, 2000 5 91 4=100
c. A DVD player 76 24 *=100
April, 2002 44 56 *=100
April, 2000 16 83 1=100
d. A VCR 92 8 *=100
February, 1994 85 15 *=100
e. A digital video recorder
like Tivo that
automatically records
TV programs you select 13 86 1=100
April, 2002 3 96 1=100
NO Q.79
IF EMPLOYED FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME, ASK [N=1926]:
Q.80 Is it important for your job that you keep up with the news, or not?
31 Yes
68 No
1 Don’t Know/Refused
=100
*****************************************************************************
PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE PRESS
MAY 2004 POLITICAL/BELIEVABILITY
FINAL TOPLINE
May 3 - 9, 2004
N=1001
Q.23 Now, I'm going to read a list. Please rate how much you think you can BELIEVE each
organization I name on a scale of 4 to 1. On this four point scale, "4" means you can
believe all or most of what the organization says. "1" means you believe almost
nothing of what they say. How would you rate the believability of (READ ITEM.
RANDOMIZE LIST) on this scale of 4 to 1? (INTERVIEWERS: PROBE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN
"NEVER HEARD OF" AND "CAN'T RATE")
Believe Cannot Never
All or Most Believe Heard Can't
4 3 2 1 of Rate
a. USA Today 15 32 22 8 2 21=100
May, 2002 15 36 19 6 1 23=100
May, 2000 17 31 20 7 2 23=100
May, 1998 18 35 21 5 2 19=100
April, 1996 20 34 20 9 3 14=100
February, 1993 20 36 21 7 1 15=100
August, 1989 21 32 18 5 6 18=100
June, 1985 13 26 13 2 4 42=100
b. ABC News 22 36 24 9 * 9=100
May, 2002 22 43 19 6 * 10=100
May, 2000 26 36 20 6 * 12=100
May, 1998 28 43 18 4 * 7=100
April, 1996 30 44 17 5 * 4=100
February, 1993 34 42 17 4 * 3=100
August, 1989 30 46 14 3 1 7=100
June, 1985 32 51 11 1 * 5=100
c. The Wall Street Journal 18 31 17 8 1 25=100
May, 2002 22 29 11 4 1 33=100
May, 2000 27 24 9 6 4 30=100
May, 1998 30 30 9 4 2 25=100
April, 1996 28 29 13 7 3 20=100
February, 1993 30 32 14 6 2 16=100
August, 1989 30 26 9 3 6 26=100
June, 1985 25 23 6 2 1 43=100
d. The daily newspaper you
are most familiar with 17 33 30 12 * 8=100
May, 2002 20 39 25 9 0 7=100
May, 2000 23 38 24 8 * 7=100
May, 1998 27 36 24 7 * 6=100
April, 1996 24 37 26 8 * 5=100
February, 1993 22 41 25 8 * 4=100
August, 1989 26 41 24 7 * 2=100
June, 1985 28 52 13 2 * 5=100
e. The Associated Press 15 33 26 8 2 16=100
May, 2002 14 35 22 7 4 18=100
May, 2000 16 32 22 7 5 18=100
May, 1998 15 36 24 6 4 15=100
April, 1996 14 40 22 9 3 12=100
February, 1993 16 39 23 7 3 12=100
August, 1989 21 43 18 4 6 9=100
June, 1985 21 40 11 2 2 24=100
f. CNN 29 36 17 8 1 9=100
May, 2002 32 34 15 6 1 12=100
May, 2000 33 32 14 5 1 15=100
May, 1998 37 35 11 4 1 12=100
April, 1996 34 37 14 4 1 10=100
February, 1993 41 35 10 4 2 8=100
August, 1989 33 31 11 2 8 16=100
June, 1985 20 24 7 1 10 38=100
g. NBC News 22 39 24 9 * 6=100
May, 2002 23 43 19 6 * 9=100
May, 2000 26 37 21 7 * 9=100
May, 1998 28 42 20 4 * 6=100
April, 1996 28 46 18 5 * 3=100
February, 1993 31 42 18 6 * 3=100
August, 1989 32 47 14 2 * 5=100
June, 1985 31 51 12 1 * 5=100
h. CBS News 22 35 24 9 1 9=100
May, 2002 23 41 19 6 * 11=100
May, 2000 26 37 20 7 * 10=100
May, 1998 26 43 21 4 * 6=100
April, 1996 30 42 17 6 * 5=100
February, 1993 31 44 16 5 * 4=100
August, 1989 29 45 16 4 1 5=100
June, 1985 33 51 11 1 * 4=100
i. C-SPAN 20 28 18 7 4 23=100
May, 2002 18 26 12 5 8 31=100
May, 2000 21 24 11 6 10 28=100
May, 1998 20 26 12 4 12 26=100
April, 1996 19 24 12 9 10 26=100
j. Time Magazine 18 33 20 10 * 19=100
May, 2002 18 35 16 7 1 23=100
May, 2000 22 30 16 6 2 24=100
May, 1998 21 38 17 4 1 19=100
June, 1985 27 38 10 2 * 23=100
k. People Magazine 6 15 32 25 1 21=100
May, 2002 7 20 31 15 1 26=100
May, 2000 8 18 30 20 2 22=100
May, 1998 8 21 34 16 1 20=100
June, 1985 8 22 28 12 1 29=100
l. Newsweek 14 34 20 9 1 22=100
May, 2002 14 37 16 5 2 26=100
May, 2000 17 32 17 7 2 25=100
May, 1998 19 40 16 5 1 19=100
June, 1985 23 40 9 2 * 26=100
m. The National Enquirer 4 6 9 61 2 18=100
May, 2002 3 5 11 60 1 20=100
May, 2000 3 3 8 68 2 16=100
May, 1998 3 4 11 69 1 12=100
June, 1985 4 7 11 54 1 23=100
n. The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer 13 20 16 8 8 35=100
May, 2002 13 20 13 5 18 31=100
May, 2000 13 18 13 8 18 30=100
May, 1998 15 21 12 5 19 28=100
June, 1985 18 17 6 2 29 28=100
o. Your local TV news 23 36 27 9 * 5=100
May, 2002 26 39 22 7 * 6=100
May, 2000 30 39 19 6 * 6=100
May, 1998 32 38 19 6 * 4=100
June, 1985 34 47 13 1 * 5=100
NO ITEM p.
q. 60 Minutes 29 33 19 9 * 10=100
May, 2002 30 39 15 5 * 11=100
May, 2000 31 37 17 7 * 8=100
May, 1998 32 37 20 4 * 7=100
r. MSNBC 18 36 22 8 2 14=100
May, 2002 21 34 17 5 4 19=100
May, 2000 19 29 15 6 8 23=100
s. National Public Radio 17 25 22 12 3 21=100
May, 2002 16 28 20 7 6 23=100
May, 2000 16 21 18 8 13 24=100
May, 1998 13 34 17 7 7 22=100
NO ITEM t.
u. The Fox News CABLE Channel 21 33 23 9 1 13=100
May, 2002 19 34 20 6 2 19=100
May, 2000 19 28 19 9 3 22=100
v. U.S. News & World Report 19 32 20 6 2 21=100
May, 2002 18 33 14 5 4 26=100
w. The New York Times 16 31 18 10 2 23=100
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