News Interest % following each story very closely Which one story did you follow most closely?
About a third (36%) followed news about the debate in Washington over federal spending very closely last week and 14% followed this most closely. Media coverage far surpassed interest in these stories, accounting for 31% of the newshole. Public interest in addressing the nation’s finances declined from the previous week, when 47% very closely followed the threat of a government shutdown because of budget disagreements.
The 2012 presidential election is attracting only modest interest in this early stage of the race. Two-in-ten (20%) are following very closely and just 4% said news about potential 2012 candidates was their most closely followed story. Campaign news interest is now on par with interest at this point in the 2008 presidential race. In April 2007, 18% said they were following election news very closely.
News Interest  | % following each story very closely  | Which one story did you follow most closely?  | 26  | Disaster in Japan  | 38  | Oil and gas prices  | 53  | 22  | Economy  | 14  | 44  | 14  | Deficit & national debt 36  | 21  | Libya  | 2012 presidential race 20  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER Apr. 14-17, 2011, 