Study shows FOX covers Iraq less than CNN and MSNBC

[edbermac]

Looking more closely at the cable universe itself—among the three channels as well as across day parts—PEJ found distinct differences between the three channels, far more than discerned between the three commercial network channels or newspapers. As an example, we found that coverage of the three biggest stories of the quarter—Iraq policy debate, the 2008 campaign and Anna Nicole Smith differed greatly across the three channels and day parts.

Overall, MSNBC and CNN were much more consumed with the war in Iraq than was Fox. MSNBC, for instance, devoted nearly a third of the time studied to the war (26% on the policy debate, 3% on events on the ground and 2% the homefront). Fox, by contrast, spent less than half that much time on the war—15% in all, (10% on the policy debate, 3% on events in Iraq and 1% on the homefront).

On CNN, Iraq coverage totaled 25%, again mostly focused on policy debate (14%). Events on the ground received 7% of the coverage (coming in second overall) while the homefront trailed at 3%.
MSNBC also spent more time on the presidential campaign than its rivals (14%), compared with 9% on Fox and 7% on CNN.

If Fox was less focused on the Iraq War, what took its place? Mostly—according to the numbers—Anna Nicole Smith. Coverage of her death trailed just barely the airtime spent on the Iraq policy debate, accounting for 9.6% of all the Fox content studied (versus 10.1% for the Iraq policy debate). Fox also stood out for its lack of coverage on the firings of the U.S. attorneys, compared with the other channels. The story, which gained real momentum in mid March, consumed a mere 2% of Fox’s total airtime. CNN devoted twice that percent (4%) and MSNBC four times (8%).

http://www.journalism.org/node/5719



I am shocked...SHOCKED, I tell you! :sarcasm:

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. too bad Anna Nicole Smith didn't die in Iraq

then Fox would be in a bind.

[mediawatch]

2. that is funny

in an odd sort of way:smoke:

[bamacrat]

3. Yeah thats Fair and Balanced.

All should watch the documentary Out Foxed. My teacher showed it in class a couple weeks ago, really makes you hate Faux News, Orally, and Murdoch. Good doc.

[SteveM]

4. FAUX covered Iraq less? Sounds good, considering the alternative.