Attitudes Toward the News Overwhelmingly, Americans place a premium on accuracy and timeliness and, to a somewhat lesser degree, information that is helpful and hard to find. Personable, enjoyable and emotional news is valued more by women and those without college degrees than by men and the college-educated.
Women also rate news that fits into their day higher than men do.
While emotionally moving news is not widely valued by the general public, this quality along with a caring anchor are significant in shaping the viewing habits of those who do value them. Americans who say it is important to have news that is emotionally stirring and presented by caring news anchors watch local, network and news magazine shows much more regularly than do those who do not rank these qualities as high. These attitudinal differences do not extend to regular viewership of the all-news cable networks. When asked where they would turn first for information about breaking news, Americans choose television over print. CNN is the single outlet most often mentioned for national, international and health news.