PEJ News Coverage Index: Feb. 23 - Mar. 1, 2009, The New Obama Narrative: “Change” was an Understatement

Report Read time:
PEJ News Coverage Index: Feb. 23 - Mar. 1, 2009, The New Obama Narrative: “Change” was an Understatement

In a week chock full of major events designed to address the crisis—a fiscal responsibility summit, a prime-time presidential speech and the unveiling of Obama's first budget—the increasingly frail state of the U.S. economy again dominated the headlines.

And amid the swirl of events, a media meta narrative was forming that was considerably greater than the sum of the news: After only five weeks in office, Obama was staking his presidency on a stunning and sweeping overhaul of domestic priorities.

Driven primarily by the Obama budget and concerns over the nation's red ink, the economic crisis was easily the top story from February 23-March 1, according to the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism. It filled 38% of the newshole, compared with 39 % the previous week. But that is only a partial indicator of the dominance of economic news last week.

The second biggest story (10% of newshole), was Obama's Feb. 24 speech—delivered to Congress but aimed at living rooms—intended to strike a balance between reassurance and urgency about the country's economic stability. Coverage of the failing U.S. auto industry accounted for another 2%. Some of the media's attention to the mechanics of the new Administration last week also included an analysis of Obama's ambitious efforts at domestic restructuring.

Read the full report The New Obama Narrative: “Change” was an Understatement on the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism Web site.

America’s Overdose Crisis
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
Quick View
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up

MORE FROM PEW

Standing on a boat in his wetsuit, with shimmering blue water and a hilly coast behind him, Stan Shea points to distant waters before a dive. Awareness of Hong Kong's Marine Diversity Aids Conservation
A time-lapse photo shows a stream rushing through densely forested terrain that includes mossy rocks and fallen trees in the streambed and tall pines on the banks, all under a sunny sky. More Rivers Need Protection, Advocates Say
A winding river in Alaska, lined with green and yellow trees, a green river valley, and distant mountains. 4 Reasons to Improve Federal Land Conservation Policy
Montana State Capitol Building How Sustainable Is Your State's Pension Plan?
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?