Survey Says Most Americans Get Their News from Web Sites

RISMEDIA, Oct. 2, 2007-A new survey finds that 101 million adult Americans now get most of their news from Web sites, while 35 million people rely on TV comedians and eight million individuals turn to blogs for their main source of news. An overwhelming majority of Americans said they obtain most of their news from traditional news sources, including TV news programs (78.6%) and newspapers (66.8%).

The survey was commissioned by Edward Segal, author of “Profit by Publicity” (iUniverse, 2007), a how-to reference guide that shows real estate agents and brokers how to generate news coverage about themselves or the properties they sell. The book is based on Segal’s 25-year career in public relations, journalism, politics and real estate.

“Profit by Publicity” was published by the Marin Association of REALTORS(R) in Marin County, Calif., where Segal serves as the organization’s CEO and communications director.

In order of unaided mention, the survey found that Americans get most of their news from the following nine sources:

– TV news programs 78.6% (171 million people)
– Newspapers 66.8% (145 million people)
– Web sites of any type 46.6% (101 million people)
– Radio news programs 44.5% (97 million people)
– Talk radio 27.4% (60 million people)
– TV talk shows 22.8% (50 million people)
– News magazines 19.6% (43 million people)
– TV comedians 16.3% (35 million people)
– Blogs 3.9% (8 million people)

The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted Sept. 21-23, 2007 by Synovate, and has a margin of error of plus or minus four percent.

Segal said the survey shows that “tens of millions of Americans obtain their news from a wide range of traditional and non-traditional sources. Companies, organizations and individuals who seek to generate publicity about themselves need to find ways to make themselves interesting and newsworthy to a variety of news audiences.”

“Profit by Publicity” features examples of the most successful story angles and news hooks that can help convince reporters to do stories about real estate agents and brokers. The book also provides samples of the news coverage real estate professionals have received about their activities, services and expertise; and expert advice on how to duplicate their success. “Profit by Publicity” is available from all major online book stores, including Amazon, Borders and Barnes & Noble.

Segal is the CEO and communications director of the 1,700-member Marin Association of REALTORS(R), former marketing strategies columnist for The Wall Street Journal’s StartupJournal.com, senior media relations consultant to Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, and a PR consultant who generated thousands of stories about hundreds of clients. He is a former press secretary to members of Congress and campaign aide to congressional and presidential candidates.

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