KAET-ASU Poll

Contact Dr. Bruce Merrill (480) 965-7051
Can be used after 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 4, 2003

ARIZONANS SEEING MORE WAR COVERAGE THAN WANTED

APPROVAL FOUND FOR EMBEDDED JOURNALISTS - SOME CONCERNS VOICED

A new statewide poll of registered voters conducted by KAET-TV/Channel 8 and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University between March 27 - 30, 2003, found that almost one-half (49%) of all registered voters said they are seeing too much coverage of the war in Iraq. Forty-four percent (44%) said the amount of coverage was about right, 5% said too little, and 2% had no opinion. The older a person was the more likely they were to feel there was too much coverage of the war.

The poll also found that almost two-thirds (64%) of those interviewed felt embedding journalists in combat units was a good idea. Twenty-eight percent (28%) felt it was a bad idea; 8% had no opinion. Registered voters did have some concerns about the embedded journalists. Sixty-one percent (61%) said the possibility of misjudging how the war was going by observing a single battle was a serious (20%) or somewhat serious (41%) problem. Thirty-five percent (35%) felt it was not much of a problem (23%) or not problem at all (12%); 4% voiced no opinion.

The possibility of embedded reporters getting in the way of or endangering troops occupied in battle was seen as a serious (15%) or somewhat serious problem (25%) by 40% of those interviewed. A majority (56%) didn't feel it was much of a problem (23%) or no problem at all (33%); 4% did not have an opinion. Women and older people were most likely to see problems associated with embedding journalists.

The statewide poll of 588 registered voters has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.0%. Fifty-three percent (53%) of those interviewed were female, 47% male. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of the interviews were conducted in Maricopa County, 16% in Pima County, and 25% in the less populated counties. The sample consisted of 42% Republicans, 36% Democrats and 22% independents.

Q1. How do you feel about the amount of coverage you are seeing about the war in Iraq? Do you feel there is

*Entries in parentheses are for those with an opinion

Q2. The military has embedded journalists in military units, which means journalists are allowed to accompany military units and report live on what is happening, Do you think embedding reporters with the troops has been a

Q3. One consequence of embedding journalists in military units could be that seeing what is happening in one event may give a misleading impression about how the war is going overall. Do you think that is a

Q4. Do you think the possibility of embedded journalists distracting or getting in the way of troops when they are fighting is a

KAET-TV is a part of Arizona State University