Front Page Tally: November 30

Monday, 30 November 2009 | by Pat's Picks

Iran to build 10 nuclear plants ? 18

Four police officers slain at coffee shop near Tacoma ? 18

Tiger Woods? car accident draws speculation ? 15

The front page tally is a fascinating exercise, because it reveals the story that traditional news judgment has selected as the “lead.” But we learn a lot about the actual behavior of readers from looking at click patterns, and that reality leads editors to play up something like the Tiger Woods story.

Today, the serious news prevailed—but just barely.  Eighteen newspapers put Iran’s announcement that it plans to build 10 nuclear plants on their front pages this morning. Appearing on an equal number of front pages was coverage of the slaying of four police officers in a coffee shop near Tacoma yesterday. Tiger Woods continued to make headlines as 15 publications reported on statements he made about the car accident on his website, despite his reluctance to discuss the incident with Florida police.