The spin cycle: how your newspaper fared

There were 2203 separate stories analysed across 10 newspapers between September 7 and 11, 2009 to determine whether they were initiated by public relations or promotions. The study found that nearly 55% of stories analysed were driven by some form of public relations — a media release, a public relations professional or some other form of promotion.

The 10 newspapers were the hard-copy editions of The Australian Australian Financial Review, The Advertiser (Adelaide), The Courier-Mail (Brisbane), Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Mercury (Hobart), The Australian, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and The West Australian.

Here’s what came out in the wash:

UPDATED 18/03 to correct a typo in graph 3