2011-05-31-皮尤-Midwest_Tornadoes_Top_Story_for_Public_and_Press_13页_175kb

Midwest Tornadoes Dominate News Interest

The U.S. public's attention was primarily focused on the Midwest tornadoes, with 45% following news about them very closely and the topic receiving 22% of all news coverage. Media reports showed extensive coverage, accounting for 46% of network news airtime and 38% of cable news coverage. Interest was similar across regions, including the South, Northeast, Midwest, and West.

Other news topics, such as the federal budget deficit, garnered less public interest, with only 8% following it most closely. Conversely, the 2012 presidential campaign saw slight increases in interest, but remained a low priority. Turnout for these stories was considerably lower, highlighting the tornadoes as the top story of the week.