Economic News on Television: The Determinants of Coverage

摘要: This paper examines the television networks' coverage of unemployment rate, inflation rate as measured by Consumer Price Index, and growth real GNP over twelve years from 1973 through 1984. time period includes two major recessions, severe bursts inflation, three presidential elections. A common complaint is that networks overemphasize bad economic news. Using measures coverage, this whether give greater to these statistics when they are deteriorating. The empirical results reveal do news during nonelection years, but pattern disappears election years. also comments very powerful in shaping amount given statistics. There strong evidence plays a role public opinion (Kinder Iyengar, 1987). influence, however, may or not be desirable. According Kinder depends on "thorny question" "how faithfully pictures stories appear each night portray what consequence actually happening world" (1987:122). economy presents wonderful opportunity investigate question for reasons. First, there perception among some critics distorts reality. These complain For example, economist Herbert Stein-a former chairman Council Economic Advisors-believes "the press communicates an excesDAVID E. HARRINGTON iS Himmelright Assistant Professor Economics at Kenyon College. author would like thank Bruce Corrie John Scott their research assistance well Rick Coe, Elliott, Kathy Krynski, Jim Likens, Mark Montgomery, Steve Marks, Hans Palmer, Gary Smith, Peter Weipert, Frank Wykoff helpful comments. Public Opinion Quarterly Volume 53:17-40 ? 1989 American Association Research Published University Chicago Press / 0033-362X/88/0053-01/$2.50 content downloaded 157.55.39.106 Mon, 25 Apr 2016 05:56:40 UTC All use subject http://about.jstor.org/terms 18 David Harrington sively dramatic, anxious negative view economy" (Stein, 1975:40). Similarly, President Reagan complained 1982-83 recession constantly "downbeat" was inhibiting recovery (Washington Post, 1982). In response, CBS anchorman Dan Rather argues criticisms attempts "convince problems problems" (Associated Press, 1983). other words, he believes blaming messengers Second, actual performance continuously several As result, it possible examine how economy'depends economy. uses 1984 test deteriorating, holding factors constant. changes president can influence commenting