Television News Content of Minority Groups as an Intergroup Context Indicator of Differences Between Target-Specific Prejudices

Abstract

Although research has shown that different types of prejudice are highly correlated, the existence of prejudice hierarchies indicates that individuals differentiate between target groups. Here we examine the relationship between television news coverage and differences in attitudes toward minority groups. We rely on intergroup threat theory, tone, and framing theories to formulate our hypotheses and conduct a multimethod study: All prime-time television news items in Flanders (N = 1,487) reporting on five minority groups (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender; Jews; Eastern Europeans; North Africans; Roma) were coded in terms of tone and framing and subsequently combined with individual-level survey data. Patterns in news coverage reflect differences in prejudice: Groups that are most negatively/positively evaluated by the public receive the most negative/positive coverage. Prejudice is especially high for minority groups associated with problems and criminal threat frames in the news. We conclude that news content is an important characteristic of the intergroup context reflecting differences in minority group appraisals in society.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The first author thanks the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for the PhD fellowship, which made it possible to contribute to this article.

Notes

¹ It should be noted here, however, that media and public opinion are interdependent: Public opinion may steer news content as well. Although there is tentative evidence that news consumption impacts attitudes toward minorities (Boomgaarden & Vliegenthart, 2009; Schlueter & Davidov, 2013), past research has stressed that news may simply reflect public opinion (Zhou & Moy, 2007). Similarly, current research is still inconclusive about the role of self-selection mechanisms, that is, the tendency of individuals to consume content that is perceived to reflect prior beliefs (Oliver & Armstrong, 1995).

² Both broadcasters diverge in terms of goal attainment, as the partly state-funded public broadcaster is expected to deliver a service to the citizens (Jacobs, Meeusen, & D’Haenens, 2016). Moreover, they have signed a Diversity charter institutionalizing their objective to report on minorities in an equitable and inclusive manner, whereas commercial broadcasters do not have similar obligations. There are small differences, as reporting is slightly less negative on the public broadcaster and contains fewer references to threat, but overall patterns are very similar: We observe the same ranking for the five outgroups.

³ Results were similar if news media consumption of radio, newspaper, and website were considered separately (i.e., all parameters were nonsignificant). For reasons of parsimony, we included them as a sum-scale.

⁴ On one hand, individuals who did not watch any news were less positive toward North Africans, Eastern Europeans, and Roma compared to individuals who watched television news. On the other hand, individuals who did not watch any news were more tolerant toward Jews and homosexuals compared to individuals who watched television news.

⁵ Detailed figures showing trends over time are available from the authors upon request.

⁶ Calculation: For a man, with average age, education level, left–right ideology, and TV and other news consumption who watches public news, Y_homosexuals = 40.2 + (2.763 × 16.4) = 85.5. For a person with the same characteristics who watches commercial news, Y_Roma = 40.2 + (2.763 × 1.5) = 43.77; 85.5 − 44.3 = 41.2.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cecil Meeusen

Cecil Meeusen (M.A., University of Leuven, 2010) is a doctoral fellow at the Centre for Sociological Research, University of Leuven. Her research interests include generalized prejudice, target-specific prejudice, and the link between both types.

Laura Jacobs

Laura Jacobs (M.A., Ghent University, 2011) is a doctoral fellow a the Centre for Political Science Research, University of Leuven. Her research interests include news media, anti-immigrant attitudes, media effects, and intergroup relations.