SNET Internet
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Survey Readers Comments

07/02/99

News Source

We think we can safely make the assumption that all respondents to the SNET Internet survey have access it's not (yet) their prime source of news. Television is still king, according to our latest survey, though it's been a long time since the main broadcast networks dominated.

Newspapers and magazines are a distant second, with radio edging out the Internet for third.

The results:

Q: What do you rely on most for news?

  • Television - 2,036 (49.5%)
  • Radio - 544 (13.2%)
  • Newspapers and magazines - 957 (23.2%)
  • Internet - 428 (10.4%)
  • Other - 145 (3.5%)

Your comments:

"Even though I hate to read, I chose newspapers. They are more in-depth (as) to what happened. I also like TV, though, because they give the day's news and it's up to date, especially with their breaking news. No offense, but the Internet hardly gives the news. It's just a little blurb and that's all. Thanks for letting me voice my opinion." J.Z., East Windsor

"Television "news" is really only a light covering of a few major stories. After 3 to 5 minutes, it is just entertainment and Hollywood stories that they try to pass off as news. Radio news is quick unless you listen to a news radio station. Internet has some of the advantages of newspapers -- stories are more detailed, different "spins" of the same story can be read, and you can read the stories when you have time." Ken H., Naugatuck

"Although there are many different ways to get the news, to me the TV is the easiest. Unless the paper is delivered to you, you have to go out and buy it. The TV is free and it is on every day. You could also get it on the Internet, but trying to find the specific website that you're looking for, etc., can sometimes be a hassle. The radio is also easy, but unless you listen to an AM station you also hear songs and other things that don't really have much to do with the news." J.L., Branford

"Believe it or not, I rely on people for news. Everyone is always talking about everything new, so I just listen. I never watch the news or read the newspaper (except for the comics.) I read the titles of news articles on the internet but I never read the articles themselves. If there's something I want to know about, I'll find it. If not, I just listen and learn." T.M., Ashford

"Most of the "news" is spin doctored BS. Very little of it can be relied on. The only stuff on tv that is accurate are the sports scores and the weather. The rest of it is trash, precooked and digested by Establishment spin doctors. Every time I click onto the "news" and some jerk behind a phony counter says "authorities say ..." I click off immediately, before my mind gets fried." Jerry, No Town

"From the results of the survey so far, it looks like we've succumbed to the 30 second spot. Details don't seem to matter anymore." ct635hme, East Haven

"What i have to say... This was the worst survey i ever heard ... No way was it as good as the ones that actually made you think!" J.B., Northford

"We get most of our information through the TV. However, it is a very biased way of getting the news. CBS, or any one of them, show only their version of the situation at the time it happens. The media is only one-sided and always the worst is on prime time ... why not (show) the good some people are doing. The world is not all bad, thank God for that. Let's give both sides of the picture. In my opinion the media drags on into the situation way too far, the more they see a person hurting the more they go for more. Too bad it happens that way. Get a story, tell the truth and move on to another one. Don't beat it to death." Frank, Mansfield

"I would use the Internet more if local news was put on it. Maybe even give up the paper every morning." P.R., Danielson

"I love this. Taking polls is very important, it gives people an idea of what other people are thinking." N.N., Vernon

Previous survey results are available.

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