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These data are from the General Social Surveys, National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago. Beginning in 1972, surveys were annual except for 1979, 1981 and 1992. Starting in 1994, the surveys became biennial. The surveys are based on a national area probability sample of noninstitutionalized adults with sample sizes ranging from about 1,500 for the first 19 surveys to about 3,000 in 1994 and thereafter. Data are collected through in-person interviews. The questionnaire contains a standard core of demographic and attitudinal questions plus certain topics of special interest, which may rotate.
How often do you read the newspaper—every day, a few times a week, once a week, less than once a week, or never?
Year |
Everyday % |
Few Times a Week % |
Once a Week % |
Less than Once a Week % |
Never % |
1972 |
69.4 |
15.2 |
7.8 |
3.9 |
3.7 |
1975 |
66.7 |
16.4 |
8.1 |
5.0 |
3.8 |
1977 |
63.3 |
16.6 |
9.7 |
6.2 |
4.3 |
1978 |
57.6 |
20.7 |
9.3 |
7.7 |
4.8 |
1982 |
51.5 |
23.4 |
12.3 |
7.2 |
5.6 |
1983 |
56.2 |
20.6 |
10.4 |
8.3 |
4.6 |
1985 |
53.0 |
21.6 |
12.4 |
7.7 |
5.3 |
1986 |
54.0 |
20.7 |
12.3 |
7.5 |
5.5 |
1987 |
53.4 |
21.6 |
12.3 |
6.9 |
5.7 |
1988 |
50.9 |
23.8 |
12.2 |
8.5 |
4.6 |
1989 |
49.6 |
25.5 |
12.8 |
7.0 |
5.2 |
1990 |
52.7 |
22.3 |
10.4 |
10.1 |
4.5 |
1991 |
51.9 |
21.9 |
13.1 |
8.7 |
4.3 |
1993 |
46.7 |
26.3 |
13.0 |
8.8 |
5.1 |
1994 |
50.4 |
23.4 |
13.4 |
9.6 |
3.2 |
1996 |
42.5 |
24.2 |
15.9 |
11.4 |
6.0 |
1998 |
43.1 |
22.7 |
16.4 |
10.3 |
7.5 |
2000 |
36.5 |
25.5 |
14.6 |
14.8 |
8.7 |
2002 |
42.4 |
23.3 |
11.6 |
13.0 |
9.7 |
2004 |
40.2 |
25.4 |
14.0 |
13.0 |
7.4 |
Source: General Social Surveys, National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago
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