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SAGE Journal Articles

SJ-userguide.pdf

Article 1: Eisinger, R. M. Veenstra, L. R., and Koehn, J. P. (Winter 2007). What Media Bias? Conservative and Liberal Labeling in Major U.S. Newspapers. The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics 12(1). 17-36.

This article discusses labeling in major U.S. newspapers. The authors test the hypothesis that major newspaper sources disproportionately label conservative politicians. The authors find that disproportionate labeling does exists but not in a way that it can constitute as bias constitutes.

Questions to Consider:

1. What is ideologically biased reporting and how can it affect elections and campaigns?

2. How does the media play a role in how citizens understand politics?

3. What were the authors’ recommendations for future research? 

Learning Objective(s): 14.1 Summarize the development of the news business and technology; 14.6 Contrast historical and contemporary politician-press relations

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Article 2: Payne, J. G. (December 2010). The Bradley Effect: Mediated Reality of Race and Politics in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election. American Behavioral Scientist 54(4). 417-435.

This article discusses the origins of the Bradley Effect within the 1982 gubernatorial election in California and its emergence as an explanation for Bradley’s unexpected loss. The author explores the validity of the effect in politics and how individuals, such as journalists focus on race.

Questions to Consider:

1. What is the Bradley Effect and how does it apply to the 2008 election?

2. What were the author’s findings in terms of the validity of the effect?

Learning Objective: 14.2 Discuss the ways in which news is a consumer product and how that influences the news

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Article 3: Wasburn, P. C. and Wasburn, M. H. (October 2011). Media coverage of women in politics: The curious case of Sarah Palin. Media, Culture, & Society 33(7). 1027-1041.

This article discusses media coverage in campaigns and patterns of gendered reporting that have discouraged citizens from voting for female candidates.  The authors examine the patterns in the media reporting of Sarah Palin, former candidate for the Vice President of the U.S. Their findings show that gendered reporting consequences are not uniform; they vary according to the issues or symbolic focus of the campaign.

Questions to Consider:

1. What were the effects of media coverage on Palin’s campaign?

2. Do you believe gendered reporting severely impacts a women candidates campaign?

3. What do the authors suggest for future research? Did their study to the field of media and politics?

Learning Objective: 14.5 Describe the relationship between politicians and reporters

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CQ Researcher

Logic7eCh14-mediabias.pdf

Kiener, R. (May 2013). Media Bias. CQ Researcher, 23(17). 401-424.

An unprecedented number of Americans view the news media as biased and untrustworthy, with both conservatives and liberals complaining that coverage of political races and important public policy issues is often skewed. Polls show that 80 percent of Americans believe news stories are often influenced by the powerful, and nearly as many say the media tend to favor one side of issues over another. Experts question the future of U.S. democracy if American voters cannot agree on what constitutes truth.

Questions to Consider:

1. What is media bias? Give some examples.

2. Do you believe that journalists should be more objective? Why or why not

Learning Objective(s): 14.1 Summarize the development of the news business and technology; 14.4 Identify the ways in which news is a product of politics.