Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

July/August 2014 – Five times since 1971, David Weaver and his colleagues at Indiana University have conducted a study titled “The American Journalist in the Digital Age.” In the most recent study, Weaver polled 1,080 U.S. journalists. 

The study found the demographics of journalists have changed slightly from 2002, the last time Weaver conducted the study. Currently, journalists are slightly older on average, slightly more likely to be women, slightly less likely to be racial or ethnic minorities, and more likely to call themselves politically independent than to identify with Republicans or Democrats. In fact, only 7% are self-proclaimed Republicans, and 28% say they are Democrats. The majority, 50.2%, are Independents.

One of the most interesting findings was that job satisfaction among journalists is the lowest since Weaver began doing the study, with only 23.3% saying they were “very satisfied.” That could be because only 33.6% say they have “almost complete freedom” in choosing which stories they cover. That number is down from 60% in 1971 and 1982.

Not all the numbers set low records. Seventy-eight percent of polled journalists say investigating government claims is extremely important. That is two percentage points higher than the previous record in 1971.

Weaver said when all the data are combined and analyzed, he sees a media that is more cautious and perhaps more ethical. 

Click here to view the entire study.