US: TV still major news source

Industry, International, New Media, Print, Television, United States

A survey of Americans news habits has shown that Television remains a leading source of news in the country.   Results from the Pew Research Center’s biannual survey on news consumption habits have also shown that newspaper readership is dropping, while online readership is growing.

The survey has highlighted a growing group of people, refered to as “integrators” who use both traditional and online sources of news.  This group accounts for 23 percent of those surveyed and tend to be more engaged, sophisticated and well-off, however are older then those who rely on the internet as their main source of news.

46 percent of those surveyed stated a heavy reliance on television for their news.   The average age of this group is the oldest at 52 and least affluent with 43 percent unemployed.    While casual television news watchers are switching off from network news, rather opting to watch cable news sources such as CNN and Fox.  

The smallest group, those who rely on the internet for news at 13 percent is also the youngest, with an average age of 35, the majority of whom have college education.

Source: SMH