Study: "Liberal" Network News Negatively Covers Howard Dean

[MonstaThrilla]

Watchdog study finds more criticism of Dean than other Democrats on network news

Howard Dean received significantly more criticism on network newscasts than the other Democratic presidential contenders, who were the subjects of more favorable coverage, according to a study released Thursday.

More than three-quarters of the coverage of Dean's foes by the nightly news programs was favorable, while a majority of attention to Dean was negative, the Center for Media and Public Affairs found.

The study by the Washington-based media watchdog also found that network attention to the campaign was down by 62 percent compared to the last race involving an incumbent president, in 1996.

Researchers examined 187 stories broadcast on the ABC, CBS or NBC evening newscasts in 2003, looking at elements including quoted remarks about candidates and how they were depicted in profiles.

The study found that 49 percent of the coverage of former Vermont Gov. Dean was positive, compared to 78 percent of the rest of the Democratic field, collectively.

Dean's coverage rose to 59 percent positive in December after former Vice President Al Gore endorsed him, the study found.

 

[glenn1]

In relative terms, i wouldn't doubt it. But i'm sure since he's gotten a significantly larger amount coverage period, he's probably received more positive coverage in absolute terms as well.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Must be some right-wing conspiracy

Or maybe it's because he's anti-establishment and the media tends to cater to the establishment. Ofcourse there is the whole Clinton angle if you wish to go that far.

One more thing - I wonder what would happen if Bush was thrown into that mix

Edit - but yes, I'd agree that dean gets a health dose of negativity aired at him. Ofcourse probably because his opponents have taken every opportunity to try to bring him down and that's what gets reported.

CkG

 

[gsaldivar]

Originally posted by: glenn1
In relative terms, i wouldn't doubt it. But i'm sure since he's gotten a significantly larger amount coverage period, he's probably received more positive coverage in absolute terms as well.