Pew Research: Top Stories of 2010
Two major disasters — the earthquake in Haiti and the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico — captured the public’s attention more than any other major stories in 2010, but Americans also kept a consistent eye on the nation’s struggling economy.
In mid-January, 60% of the public said they were following news about the horrific earthquake in Haiti very closely. In mid-July, a comparable 59% said they were following news very closely about the major oil leak in the Gulf that started with a deadly explosion on an oil rig.
Throughout the year, the economy — the top story in both 2009 and 2008 — was never far from the top of the public’s news interest. That is especially true for the second half of the year amid indications the recovery had stalled. In early December, for example, 52% said they were following news about the economy very closely. That was the highest level since mid-summer, though relatively high percentages said they very closely followed news about the economy — or related issues such as an extension of jobless benefits — all year.
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