Partisan Balance and Bias in Network Coverage of the 2000 and 2004 Presidential Elections

Zeldes, Geri Alumit; Fico, Frederick; Carpenter, Serena; Diddi, Arvind

doi:10.1080/08838150802437354

Cited by 15 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…First, in political systems with two dominating political actors (parties or candidates), the most common definition of a political balance is 'equal treatment' of these two actors. Such an approach is standard in US studies (D'Alessio and Allen, 2000;Zeldes et al, 2008). It is also commonly found in the study of news coverage in countries with only two viable prime minister candidates such as Germany (Schulz and Zeh, 2003;Wilke and Reinemann, 2006), Israel (Sheafer and Weimann, 2005) or Spain (Semetko and Canel, 1997).…”

Section: Balance Defined By the Political Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Political balance in the news: A review of concepts, operationalizations and key findings

2011

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Balance is a notoriously difficult concept to operationalize. It has typically been investigated by examining the issues raised in elections, as well as the volume and favorability of coverage of political actors. However, even after collecting these measures, it is difficult to determine precisely what would constitute ‘balanced’ coverage. Based on a comprehensive overview of previous research in western democracies, we argue that political balance can be defined according to a political system perspective (where coverage reflects politically defined norms or regulation) or a media routine perspective (where coverage results from journalistic norms). Unless forced to follow norms, western broadcasting seems to comply with a media routine perspective. Empirically, newspaper coverage is sometimes imbalanced according to both perspectives. Finally, we discuss why only a systematic analysis of explanations across time and space makes it possible to determine whether politically ‘imbalanced’ news is the result of partisan bias or not.

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Section: Balance Defined By the Political Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Political balance in the news: A review of concepts, operationalizations and key findings

2011

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“…Further research on how people form perceptions of media influence, and how those perceptions impact public actions and personal behaviors can contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding of media's role in society. commentators or comedians favor one candidate or party, but news and political comedy, as genres, include a range of political positions (Cao, 2008;Young & Tisinger, 2006;Zeldes, Fico, Carpenter, & Diddi, 2008). 2 In one supplemental analysis, Independent respondents (n = 31) were included for comparison.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 1 Unlike advertisements for candidates, which are discussed separately, general media sources do not inherently support one candidate over another. For example, some media commentators or comedians favor one candidate or party, but news and political comedy, as genres, include a range of political positions (Cao, 2008; Young & Tisinger, 2006; Zeldes, Fico, Carpenter, & Diddi, 2008). …”

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confidence: 99%

Young Voters' Responses to the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election: Social Identity, Perceived Media Influence, and Behavioral Outcomes

Hoffner

Rehkoff

2011

Journal of Communication

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Hostile news perceptions, perceived media influence, and behavioral outcomes among Republicans and Democrats were examined before and after the 2004 U.S. presidential election. Predictions were grounded in social identity/self-categorization theories, and influence of presumed influence. Hostile news perceptions were greater among Republicans, especially Fox News viewers. Third-person perceptions (TPPs) for ingroup and outgroup (own party, other party) varied based on media message (debates, news, spin, polls, comedy) and party affiliation. TPPs were larger for the outgroup than the ingroup, but only for Republicans. Following the election, changes in media perceptions were related to the election outcome and interpersonal discussion. Greater perceived influence on outgroup voters was associated with stronger support for censorship, and a lower voting likelihood among Democrats.

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“…Few studies have explored news content among competing broadcast networks (Atwater, 1984;Nucci & Kubey, 2007;Zeldes, Fico, Carpenter, & Diddi, 2008). A substantial audience now exists for the cable news networks, and their growth has come at some expense to the traditional broadcast networks (Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, 2008b).…”

Section: Literature Review Broadcast Versus Cable Networkmentioning

confidence: 98%

Broadcast and Cable News Network Differences in the Way Reporters Used Women and Minority Group Sources to Cover the 2004 Presidential Race

Zeldes

Fico

2010

Mass Communication and Society

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Our content analysis of 2,075 campaign stories aired by 3 broadcast and 3 cable networks during the 2004 presidential campaign revealed that female and non-White reporters at broadcast networks were generally more aggressive in their source use when compared to their male and White colleagues, using a greater number of sources and in most cases also allotting the sources more time. Female and non-White reporters at cable networks also tended, although less consistently and to a lesser extent, to use and give more time to female and non-White sources.

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Partisan Balance and Bias in Network Coverage of the 2000 and 2004 Presidential Elections

Cited by 15 publications

References 35 publications

Political balance in the news: A review of concepts, operationalizations and key findings

Political balance in the news: A review of concepts, operationalizations and key findings

Young Voters' Responses to the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election: Social Identity, Perceived Media Influence, and Behavioral Outcomes

Broadcast and Cable News Network Differences in the Way Reporters Used Women and Minority Group Sources to Cover the 2004 Presidential Race

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