Television remains Americans’ primary news source, the Internet is rising, and radio lags print in GALLUP’s latest poll asking respondents where they turn for news about current events.
Television was picked by 55%, followed by the Internet at 21%, print at 9%, and radio at 6%. Within the radio category, radio in general was chosen by 4% and NPR and talk radio each were picked by 1% of respondents. “Few adults of any age say their main source of news is radio,” GALLUP reported. While many Americans certainly tune in to radio for entertainment as well as talk radio, it is clearly not the place most turn for hard news about current events.”
Within age groups, radio was the choice of only 3% of 18-29 year olds, 7% of 30-49 and 50-64 year olds, and 4% of 65 and older. The Internet was much stronger in the two younger demographics, with print only breaking double digits in the 65+ category.
Radio did better among college graduates (11%) than those with high school education or less (4%) or “some college” (5%); 8% of the post-graduate category preferred radio. 8% of those employed favored radio, while 3% of the unemployed did; 6% of Republicans, 7% of independents, and 4% of Democrats chose radio.
