NEWSPAPER READING



NEWSPAPER READING

Newspaper Reading, Income, Gender, Age, Region, Education, and Internet Usage

Danielle Caccese

Rutgers University-Camden

Abstract

This study observed the decline in newspaper reading. A number of factors have contributed to this decline such as income, gender, region, age, education, and internet usage. The correlation between television viewing and newspaper reading was demonstrated on a trends graph. A multiple bivariate table showed the differences, both significant and insignificant, among daily, weekly, and less than weekly newspaper reading to age, income, education, gender, and region. A path diagram described the relationship between age, newspaper reading, and internet usage.

Newspaper Reading, Income, Gender, Age, Region, Education, and Internet Usage

Introduction

Newspaper reading in the United States has declined steadily since the 1950s. This decline has increased dramatically over the past ten to twenty years. This decline can be attributed to a number of factors. Internet usage is just one of the factors that may have contributed to the decline of newspaper reading. People have no need to subscribe to the newspaper when they can access it for free online. Nielsen/Net Ratings reported in 2005 that 21% of people changed from reading a hard copy of a newspaper to reading it online (Brown, 2005).

Age also has affected newspaper circulation. Brown (2005) found significant differences in the newspaper reading habits of young adults, 18 to 24, and older adults researched. An average of 54% of adults read the newspaper daily while only 40% of people between the ages of 18 to 24 do. Landauer (2005)attributed the age gap in newspaper reading to the lack of content that young readers would prefer.

Atkins (2005) studied newspaper reading among teenagers. His findings show that teenagers are more likely to name Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart as a source of news rather than a traditional newspaper. Newspapers have less appeal to younger age groups.

Newspaper reading is in sharp decline and needs to be controlled. Newspapers are an important source of information, they serve as a great learning tool, and they have been an important part of American culture. My project shows the effect of some factors on newspaper reading such as television, gender, age, income, regions, and education.

Results

Graph 1: Trends in Newspaper Reading and Television Viewing

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Since the 1970s newspaper reading has pretty steadily declined with only a few insignificant fluctuations. On the other hand, television viewing has remained fairly steady and linear since the 1970s. Television viewing does not seem to affect the decline in daily newspaper reading. While television may have not affected the decline in newspaper reading, the internet may have played a role in the decline of recent years.

Table 1: Multiple Bivariate Table

Information About Newspaper Reading During the Week

Daily Weekly ................
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