Partisan Balance and Bias in TV Network Coverage of the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Presidential Elections

Abstract

This study examines partisan bias in the broadcast news coverage of the 2008 presidential election by replicating measures used in the previous 2 elections. The study data, overall, indicate a Republican tilt in the 2008 election, contrary to more balanced coverage in the 2000 and 2004 elections. The findings are, however, consistent with other studies, which indicated that McCain caught up with his opponent in the final stages of the campaign. The data also indicated that the segments were more balanced than the individual stories, and structural bias was overall a better explanation for observed imbalance than was partisan bias.

Note

Notes

¹ For the purpose of this study the first week after Labor Day was excluded from coding as that week's news coverage was dominated by Hurricane Gustav. Weekends were also excluded from the study because of the football coverage and frequent time changes to the newscasts.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Arvind Diddi

Arvind Diddi (Ph.D., Michigan State University) is an associate professor in the Communication Studies Department at the State University of New York at Oswego. His research interests include news media coverage of public policy conflict and emerging media.

Frederick Fico

Frederick Fico (Ph.D., Indiana University) is a professor in the School of Journalism at Michigan State University. His research interests focus on mass media coverage of social and political conflict.

Geri Alumit Zeldes

Geri Alumit Zeldes (Ph.D., Michigan State University) is an associate professor and the graduate studies director in the School of Journalism, Michigan State University. Her research and documentary films explore coverage of issues that relate to race, gender, and religion.