The Mario Blog

08.09.2017—1am    Post #4302
Who pays for news, and who believes the news? Report tells us

Here is a an all-inclusive report from the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri School of Journalism that should be must reading for anyone working in a newsroom today. Here are highlights.

 

There are no major surprises in the Reynolds study. It’s all about confirmations to our assumptions of how people react to news, sponsor media companies and whether they believe what they read.  I urge everyone to read the Reynolds study, but here are some highlights:

As part of the Trusting News project, 28 partner newsrooms asked their audiences to tell them about their views on the credibility of news. They published a questionnaire asking their readers, listeners and viewers about their demographics and political leanings, and how many news organizations they support financially.

Who trusts and pays for the news?

–I am surprised to read that  more than two-thirds of respondents indicate they provide financial support to at least one news organization.

– If you lean toward liberal politics, you are more likely to both trust and pay for the news than conservative respondents.

Whites are more likely to both trust and pay for the news than nonwhite respondents.

Older folks are more likely to pay for the news, across politics and race. Talk about loyalty, especially with babyboomers!

What news brands do people trust?

The Economist is the most trusted. No surprise here for me. I trust this magazine that calls itself a newspaper, too. Its robust reporting is essential to anyone wishing to be well informed. Its headlines are a favorite!

-Also in the top ten most trusted:

  • Public television
  • Reuters
  • BBC
  • NPR
  • PBS
  • The Guardian
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • Los Angeles Times
  • The Dallas Morning News

 

 

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