News Interest Which one story did you follow most closely?
Tension between the U.S. and Iran over shipping in the Persian Gulf was the top story for 8%. Nearly a quarter (23%) say they followed this news very closely. Republicans are more likely to say they followed these developments very closely than are Democrats (29% vs. 19%); 23% of independents say this as well. News about Iran more generally accounted for 4% of coverage.
News about the leadership changes in North Korea attracted modest attention and little coverage last week. Following the December death of Kim Jong-il, his son, Kim Jong-un took control of the country’s government. News about the situation in North Korea was the top story last week for 5%, while 17% say they followed the situation there very closely. News about the changes in North Korea accounted for less than 1% of coverage last week.
Another 5% say their top story was news about the arsonist in Los Angeles who apparently set fire to more than 50 automobiles; 13% say they followed this news very closely. News about the fires and the man arrested by police as the suspected arsonist accounted for 3% of coverage.
News Interest  | % following each story very closely  | Which one story did you follow most closely?  | 27  | 2012 elections  | 29  | 19  | Economy  | 39  | U.S. military budget  | 26  | U.S.-Iran tensions  | 23  | L.A car arsonist  | 13  | North Korea  | 17  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER. Jan, 5-8, 2011, 