PEJ News Coverage Index: May 11 - 17, 2009, Politics Punctuate the Terrorism Debate

Report Read time:
PEJ News Coverage Index: May 11 - 17, 2009, Politics Punctuate the Terrorism Debate

With two of the nation's more politically polarizing figures helping fuel the narrative, the U.S. campaign against terrorism was the No. 1 story last week.

The news included the president's change of heart in opposing the release of photos of prisoner abuse by U.S. troops as well as a highly charged Congressional hearing on interrogation techniques. But some coverage also focused on the second and third leading newsmakers of the week—House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who was embroiled in a controversy with the CIA over waterboarding briefings, and former Vice-President Dick Cheney, who continued his public campaign against Barack Obama's policies.

Terrorism coverage accounted for 22% of the newshole from May 11-17, according to the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism. But the story was much bigger on the ideological, debate-oriented talk shows on radio and prime-time cable. Indeed, terrorism filled 50% of the airtime for the 13 talk shows studied by PEJ last week. Those discussions were doubtless driven in part by a political dynamic: Cheney is deeply disliked by many liberals and Pelosi provokes the ire of many conservatives.

Read the full report Politics Punctuate the Terrorism Debate on the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism Web site.

Spotlight on Mental Health

MORE FROM PEW

A flock of black-winged birds with their wings fully stretched flies low over a tan marsh interspersed with still blue water. Why Coastal Wetlands Are Crucial for Migratory Birds
Four flowers with yellow petals on a single stem are surrounded by tall dry grasses and blown by a gentle breeze. A brown sign in the background reads “Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.” Indigenous-Led Conservation Wins Key Protections Nationwide
A transmission tower with power lines extending from it rises above a field of yellow and red flowers, with cloudy skies overhead. Advanced Tech Can Help Ease Energy Transmission Gridlock
A large cypress tree, surrounded by several smaller trees, grows in the murky water of a wetland. Wetland Protection Shift Poses Challenge for States
Composite image of modern city network communication concept

Learn the Basics of Broadband from Our Limited Series

Sign up for our four-week email course on Broadband Basics
Quick View

How does broadband internet reach our homes, phones, and tablets? What kind of infrastructure connects us all together? What are the major barriers to broadband access for American communities?

Pills illustration
Pills illustration

What Is Antibiotic Resistance—and How Can We Fight It?

Sign up for our four-week email series The Race Against Resistance.
Quick View
Pills illustration

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as “superbugs,” are a major threat to modern medicine. But how does resistance work, and what can we do to slow the spread? Read personal stories, expert accounts, and more for the answers to those questions in our four-week email series: Slowing Superbugs.

Explore Pew’s new and improved
Fiscal 50 interactive

Your state's stats are more accessible than ever with our new and improved Fiscal 50 interactive:

  • Maps, trends, and customizable charts
  • 50-state rankings
  • Analysis of what it all means
  • Shareable graphics and downloadable data
  • Proven fiscal policy strategies

Explore

Welcome to the new Fiscal 50

Key changes include:

  • State pages that help you keep track of trends in your home state and provide national and regional context.
  • Interactive indicator pages with highly customizable and shareable data visualizations.
  • A Budget Threads feature that offers Pew’s read on the latest state fiscal news.

Learn more about the new and improved Fiscal 50.