Campaign So Far
The public has become increasingly critical of news organizations’ campaign coverage over the past two decades. Currently, about half (49%) rate media coverage of the campaign as excellent or good while about as many (45%) rate it as only fair or poor.
Four years ago, the balance tilted positive. More than half (55%) rated coverage as excellent or good just after Super Tuesday; 44% said it was only fair or poor. The positive numbers have edged downwards across partisan lines. At a comparable point in the 1992 campaign, 63% rated press coverage as excellent or good, while 34% said it was only fair or poor.
Job Campaign Press Has Done Covering the  | Campaign So Far  | Excellent/Good Only fair/Poor  | 63  | 61  | 56  | 55  | 49  | 45  | 34  | Feb  | Feb  | Feb  | Mar  | Mar  | Mar  | 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER Mar. 7-11, 2012, Q22, 