RTNDF Study: Local Television remains the dominant source of News.

More Americans choose local television news as one of their top three sources for news than any other form of traditional or new media, according to The Future of News Survey conducted for the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation. A total of 65.5 percent named local television news, compared with 28.4 percent who named local newspapers and 28.3 percent who named national network television news. The Internet was one of the top three choices for 11.2 percent of those surveyed.

Additional findings:

The public is showing a strong interest in serious news. National and international news rank second and third, just behind weather, in interest. Information about sports and entertainment ranked at the bottom.

More than 90 percent said it is very important or somewhat important for news to be right up to the minute. The public was most interested in urgent, breaking news but some complained about mislabeling of news that is neither urgent nor breaking.
People want to be able to watch news when it is convenient for them. Decisions to watch news appear to be based on having the time available, rather than to watch something specific that they have heard about.

Two-thirds of the public say they have never read a blog or don’t know what they are.

Less than 5 percent of the public has ever watched news on a small screen device such as a mobile phone or handheld electronic device.

More than three-quarters of the public prefer to watch news on a television set, rather than a computer or handheld electronic device, and more than 60 percent would like to perform on TV the functions they now perform on a computer. If given a choice of getting the same news whenever they want via any medium, the public also prefers to get news on television.

The public desires more interactivity with television news. More than 40 percent of the public would like the ability to assemble their own newscasts. More than 60 percent would like to be able to push a button and get more information on screen about what they are watching.

The public perceives that business and advertisers have influence on television news. Those in higher income groups, the better educated, younger people and men feel most strongly about the importance of maintaining a clear separation between advertisers and news.

“The future of news is a matter of vital concern to RTNDA and its members,” says RTNDA and RTNDF president Barbara Cochran. “Through research such as the RTNDF study, electronic journalists can determine how technological change can influence the future of news. Armed with knowledge, electronic journalists can face the future without fear and enjoy the exciting times ahead.”

The study was commissioned by RTNDF, conducted by Bob Papper, professor at Ball State University, and sponsored by the Ford Foundation. For complete survey results, please visit www.rtnda.org or for further information on study, contact Stacey Staniak at 202.467.5214 or st*****@***df.org.

RTNDF provides training programs, seminars, scholarship support and research in areas of critical concern to electronic news professionals and their audience. The foundation’s work is supported by contributions from foundations, corporations, members of the Radio-Television News Directors Association, and other individuals.

To view study CLICK below:
http://www.rtnda.org/resources/future/index.shtml