This study uses national survey data to compare newspapers and television for informativeness. Relationships are reported between media use and having reasons for liking or disliking candidates for the U.S. Senate, a variable used to measure level of information. Results demonstrate an informing role for newspapers but not for television. Analysis controls for education and interest in politics in the 67 news markets and 25 Senate races studied in 1974. Amount of competition or diversity in newspaper markets is then introduced as a correlate of information holding. A positive relationship is found. Twenty of the 28 least competitive markets have especially low levels of information; twelve of the 23 most competitive markets exhibit unusually high levels of information. Several causal explanations are cited. (Author)