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2012 Weekly News Interest Index

The News Interest Index is an ongoing project of the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press which builds on the Center’s longstanding research into public attentiveness to major news stories and examines news interest as it relates to the news media’s agenda. The weekly survey is conducted in conjunction with The Project for Excellence in Journalism’s News Coverage Index, which monitors the news reported by major newspaper, television, radio and online news outlets on an ongoing basis.

05.22.12

Presidential Campaign Tops Public’s News Interest

Republicans More Likely to Fault Coverage of Obama than of Romney

05.15.12

Obama Support for Gay Marriage Public’s Top Story

Partisan, Gender Differences in Interest in Obama's Comments

05.09.12

Public Attention Focused on U.S. Economy

Few Following News from China, Europe, Afghanistan

05.01.12

Public’s Top Stories: Martin Case, Election, Economy

Election Dominates News Coverage

04.24.12

News about Trayvon Martin Case Still Top Story

Modest Interest in Secret Service, GSA Scandals

04.17.12

Murder Charge in Trayvon Martin’s Death Top Story

Racial Differences in Interest Remain Wide

04.10.12

Majority of Americans See Economic News as Mixed

Trayvon Martin Controversy Still Public's Top Story

04.03.12

Wide Racial, Partisan Gaps in Reactions to Trayvon Martin Coverage

Most Republicans See 'Too Much' Coverage

03.27.12

Trayvon Martin Killing Is Public’s Top News Story

Campaign Seen as Too Long, Etch A Sketch Gaffe Little Noticed

03.21.12

Rising Fuel Prices Top Story for Public

Interest in Afghanistan News Up Following Soldier Rampage

03.15.12

Campaign Interest Comparable to Most Previous Elections, Well Below 2008

Fewer Give Press Good Marks for Coverage

03.06.12

Election Again Top Story for Public and Media

Interest Steady Heading into Super Tuesday

02.28.12

Elections, Economy Top Public’s News Interest

02.22.12

Public’s Top Stories: Whitney Houston, Election, Economy

Santorum's Visibility Grows

02.14.12

Despite Santorum Rise, Romney Still Most Visible

Election News Tops Public Interest, Coverage

02.07.12

Election News Tops Public Interest and Coverage

No Change in Perceptions of Economic News

01.31.12

Primary Fight and Obama Speech Top News Interest

Gingrich, Romney Most Heard About Candidates

01.24.12

Cruise Ship Accident, Election Top Public’s Interest

Young People Track Web Protests Over Online Piracy Bills

01.18.12

Campaign 2012: Too Negative, Too Long, Dull

'Bain Capital' Story Seen as Important

01.11.12

Perceptions of Economic News Continue to Improve

Many Say Campaign Already Is Getting Too Much Coverage