Chart History

Negative News Shapes Image of Islam

The debate about the “Ground Zero Mosque” has not had a major negative impact on coverage – as the tone of reporting reverted to the negative level from the beginning of the year. Positive coverage has been an exception.

Basis: 947 statements in 3 US main evening TV news and in CNN (*preliminary data)

Deepwater Blowup Sinks Obama

Obama´s “victory” in the healthcare struggle did not stop the downward trend in his approval ratings: The renewed criticism of his handling of the BP oil spill depressed his standing in public opinion even more – reaching a new low in July.

SA scores on WC2010 preparations

International media has been positively inclined towards South Africa‘s World Cup preparations when compared to that of Germany, this despite the significant challenges posed by various issues such as crime and social unrest.

Basis: 66 446 statements, International print media, Sept 2008 – May 2010

Deepwater is not Obama´s Katrina

The Deepwater oil spill has not lived up to the initial promise of being „Obama‘s Katrina“. The tempo and the immediate threat to human lives are two key reasons. Another is that the blame for the disaster has been very quickly moved into the corporate sphere.

Basis: 16116 reports with US presidents Bush or Obama as main protagonist 2004-2010

Health care: Obama media comeback

Obama´s media rating has sky rocketed on the historic health care reforms. In media terms the passing of the healthcare bill has seen a complete turn around for Obama with the president's balanced rating in politcal coveraging jumping nearly 15% in March.
The health care issue has also seen a corresponding halt in the downward trend of Obama's approval ratings and the first signs of returning approval. As the change in media sentiment reaches the public, this upward trend will most likely become more significant.

Basis: 14,697 statements about Barack Obama in 5 US TV news programs, CNN poll 29 th March 2010