Thomas F. Baldwin

CITIZEN JOURNALISM SITES AS INFORMATION SUBSTITUTES AND COMPLEMENTS FOR UNITED STATES NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

A content analysis of 48 citizen journalism sites, 86 weekly newspapers and 138 daily newspapers indicates that citizen journalism sites differed enough in six local government content attributes to conclude that citizen journalism sites are, at best, imperfect information substitutes for most newspapers. However, the data also indicate that some large-city citizen journalism sites complement newspapers by increasing the number of news stories and the amount of opinion available about local government. The results also found differences between citizen news sites and citizen blog sites. Few citizen journalism sites outside of large metropolitan cities covered local government.

Uses and Values for News on Cable Television.

Cable subscribers who are regular users of television news indicated that broadcast stations were the dominant source of news across all dayparts. Cable news dependent subscribers were more likely than broadcast news dependent subscribers to use cable news on a regular basis and tune to cable in a national crisis. They were younger, compared cable news more favorably to broadcast news, and placed a higher dollar value on cable news.

A study of broadcast station license application exhibits on ascertainment of community needs

The requirement that station licensees “ascertain the needs of their community” as part of the application for renewal of license is relatively new and, as this study plainly shows, is little understood by many broadcasters. The authors examined a large sample of applications filed in the Public Reference Room of the Federal Communications Commission to arrive at their conclusions. They particularly wish to thank William Dempsey, President and General Manager of WZZM‐TV, Grand Rapids, Michigan, who permitted experimentation in methods of ascertaining community needs in a series of studies conducted for the station. Dr. Thomas F. Baldwin is associate professor in the Departments of Television‐Radio and Communication, and Mr. Surlin is a graduate assistant in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University.

How Radio News Uses Sources to Cover Local Government News and Factors Affecting Source Use

This study of source use in news coverage of local governments by 198 radio stations indicates that radio news stories had fewer and less diverse sources than daily newspaper stories. The differences in source use between radio and weekly newspaper stories were not as great. Predictor variables related to source use indicated that local government stories from publicly supported and TV–radio cross-owned radio stations included more sources and more diverse sources than found in stories from other types of stations. Radio news competition was slightly and positively correlated with greater numbers of sources and source diversity.

Influence of Cable on Television News Audiences

A comparison of television viewing in the 1982–1989 years shows a steady decline of network news viewers, especially among those with pay television. A comparable decline is not found for local broadcast news. The increase in viewing of CNN and the related Headline News was steady, but mostly accounted for by the general expansion of cable, now in about 60% of American homes. One could argue that cable either merely diverts audiences from the traditional networks or that cable services actually win over audiences from the networks in head-to-head competition, and this study finds some evidence that cable is winning the competition.

Dailies Still Do 'Heavy Lifting' in Government News, despite Cuts

This content analysis finds that daily newspapers continue to inform citizens about important government matters, despite cuts in resources. Articles in dailies contain more sources with greater diversity than do articles in weeklies.

A public policy strategy for cable development: The experience of Hong Kong

This article proposes a strategy for the development of cable television in relatively small countries with limited resources and a unique language. Hong Kong, where cable is imminent, offers a case study in which to apply the strategy. The authors first present a chronology of the evolution of cable policy in Hong Kong, then discuss a strategy for permitting cable to develop with the necessary freedom to fully test the market, but at the same time protecting consumers, broadcast television and the domestic television production system from abuse if the subscription system were to come to dominate television.

A comparison of public and community leader attitudes toward local TV programming needs

Under current FCC guidelines, it is necessary for a broadcasting station to ascertain the needs and wants of its audience or potential audience. This study explores the differences expressed by community leaders and by the general public. Dr. Baldwin is associate professor in the Department of Television and Radio and Dr. Greenberg is associate professor in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University.

Program exclusivity and competition in the cable television industry

The authors argue that program exclusivity will be an important factor in the future of the cable television industry. They assert that prohibiting cable program exclusivity may limit the First Amendment rights of cable programmers and operators. The authors conclude that the best chance for increasing competition if program exclusivity continues is to increase the number of market participants.

Demand for sex-oriented cable TV in the USA: Community acceptance and obscenity law

This pooled cross-sectional/time series analysis focuses on individual consumer demand for sex-oriented pay cable programming using data obtained from Coaxial Cable in Columbus, OH. The results suggest that adult movies garnered more demand from pay-per-view subscribers than any other type of programme offered, indicating that sex- oriented cable movies has achieved a reasonable degree of community acceptance. These results are not very encouraging for those who would like to see adult content of this type eliminated from cable television.