News Interest Before and After Tucson Tragedy January 9, 2011 % following feach story
The weekly News Interest Index survey was being conducted when the Jan. 8 shootings in Tucson occurred. Before the rampage, Americans said they were tracking news about the economy most closely, but in the survey’s fourth and final day – the Sunday following the horrific events in Arizona – 34% said they were following news about the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords most closely, double the 17% that said they were following news about the economy most closely.
News Interest Before and After Tucson Tragedy  | January 6-8, 2011  | January 9, 2011  | % following each story  | % following feach story  | most closely  | most closely  | 26  | Economy  | Ariz. shooting  | 34  | GOP House  | Economy  | 13  | 17  | Navy commander  | White House changes  | 8  | White House changes  | GOP House  | 8  | State/local budg ets  | State/local budgets  | Killing in Pakistan  | Navy commander  | Pew Research Center. For interviews conducted January6-8 2011 N=771 and for those conducted January9 2011 N=164 