New York Times coverage of presidential campaigns

WL Benoit, KA Stein… - Journalism & Mass …, 2005 - journals.sagepub.com
Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 2005journals.sagepub.com
This study investigates New York Times coverage of the Democratic and Republican
general presidential campaigns from 1952–2000. Content analysis reveals that the most
common topic of campaign coverage was horse race. Discussion of the candidates'
character was more common than discussion of their policy positions (even though
candidates discuss policy more than character in campaign messages). The statements in
these stories were more often negative than positive (despite the fact that candidates' …
This study investigates New York Times coverage of the Democratic and Republican general presidential campaigns from 1952–2000. Content analysis reveals that the most common topic of campaign coverage was horse race. Discussion of the candidates' character was more common than discussion of their policy positions (even though candidates discuss policy more than character in campaign messages). The statements in these stories were more often negative than positive (despite the fact that candidates' messages are more positive than negative). Reporters are the most common sources for the statements in these articles, followed by candidates, supporters, and others.
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