21st Annual Student Research Conference
The Framing Effects of Subjective Media on Objective Media in Presidential Election Coverage
Angela M. Crawford
Dr. Karon Speckman, Faculty Mentor
Various framing strategies used in campaign coverage of presidential candidates may impact the way the public views the candidates and the election. Therefore, understanding how the media derive the frames they use and the relationship between objective and subjective media are important elements of understanding framing effects in the media. Research one year prior to the general election showed that subjective media (opinion stories) use frames on top presidential candidates at a greater rate than objective media (news stories). Additionally, the frames used most often in subjective media are similar to the frames used most often in objective media, but the top frame in each media category varied. Finally, in the 2008 presidential election coverage, the media are more likely to adopt frames for the top Democratic candidate than for the top Republican candidate. Research during the primary elections and caucuses focused on the top two Democrat candidates.
Keywords: media framing, presidential elections, relationship between subjective & objective media
Topic(s):Communication
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 45-4
Location: OP 2115
Time: 3:30