Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

News Habits & Media

fact sheet

News Influencers Fact Sheet

News influencers on social media have become a popular alternative to traditional journalists and news organizations as a source of news for many Americans. This fact sheet looks at Americans’ experiences with news influencers on social media.

Icon for promotion number 1

Sign up for The Briefing

Weekly updates on the world of news & information

Thank you for subscribing!

All

News Habits & Media

Publications

Refine Your Results

  • report

    Network News: Durability & Decline

    As the economy improved in 2010, network broadcast news quietly went through an arduous period of change. The news division of one network, ABC, instituted sharp personnel cuts designed to accomplish a “fundamental transformation” in the way network news is produced.1 Another, CBS News, worked its way from financial losses back to break-even, while management continued to strengthen a depleted bench of correspondents and news producers. NBC prepared for new owners, the third such transition since NBC was founded in 1926, and if history is a guide, the change will alter the network more than most pre-sale analyses predicted.

  • report

    Cable: Audience vs. Economics

    Two paths diverging would be one way of putting it. A glance at the finances of cable news in 2010 would leave one feeling outright bullish. All three major news channels were projected to have increases in operating profits — Fox News by 27%, CNN (and HLN) by 7% and MSNBC by 8%, according to the market research firm SNL Kagan.1

  • report

    Local TV: Good News After the Fall

    After a couple of difficult years, finally there was some good news for local television. Thanks to the economic recovery and a busy election year, revenues rose sharply in 2010. As more stations continued to add newscasts in new time slots, the overall audience for local TV news actually held steady and new delivery platforms, including mobile, raised hope for the future.

  • report

    Audio: Medium on the Brink of Major Change

    Traditional AM and FM radio still dominates the audio landscape, and for the last decade it has been among the most stable traditional media. But heading into 2011 there are growing signals that raise questions about its future.

  • report

    African American Media: Evolving in the New Era

    The African American media in 2010 mirrored the kinds of challenges and changes that mainstream news organizations also faced. Most African American media outlets either began or planned to upgrade their digital enterprises in an effort to reach new audiences. But beyond that, it was a mixed year for the sector.

  • short reads

    Online Newspapers Gain on Print

    As the New York Times begins charging for access to its website, the gap between the number of Americans who read newspaper online and in print continues to narrow.

  • report

    The Internet and Campaign 2010

    54% of adults used the internet for political purposes in the 2010 election cycle, far surpassing the 2006 midterm contest.

  • report

    Strong Public Interest in Japan Disaster

    Summary of Findings The devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan late last week dominated the public’s news interest – and news media coverage – in the days following the March 11 disaster. Roughly half (52%) of the public say they very closely followed news about the massive earthquake off the northeast coast of Japan […]

REfine Your Selection

Date
Years
Formats
Regions & Countries
Research Teams
Authors

Signature Reports

report
Pew Research Center illustration for America's News Influencers report; photos via Getty Images

America’s News Influencers

This study explores the makeup of the social media news influencer universe, including who they are, what content they create and who their audiences are.

Features