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Measuring Media Bias: A Content Analysis of Time and Newsweek Coverage of Domestic Social Issues, 1975–2000

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  • Tawnya J. Adkins Covert
  • Philo C. Wasburn

Abstract

Objective. This study is an effort to produce a more systematic, empirically‐based, historical‐comparative understanding of media bias than generally is found in previous works. Methods. The research employs a quantitative measure of ideological bias in a formal content analysis of the United States' two largest circulation news magazines, Time and Newsweek. Findings are compared with the results of an identical examination of two of the nation's leading partisan journals, the conservative National Review and the liberal Progressive. Results. Bias scores reveal stark differences between the mainstream and the partisan news magazines' coverage of four issue areas: crime, the environment, gender, and poverty. Conclusion. Data provide little support for those claiming significant media bias in either ideological direction.

Suggested Citation

  • Tawnya J. Adkins Covert & Philo C. Wasburn, 2007. "Measuring Media Bias: A Content Analysis of Time and Newsweek Coverage of Domestic Social Issues, 1975–2000," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 88(3), pages 690-706, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:88:y:2007:i:3:p:690-706
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2007.00478.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael F. Dahlstrom & Anthony Dudo & Dominique Brossard, 2012. "Precision of Information, Sensational Information, and Self‐Efficacy Information as Message‐Level Variables Affecting Risk Perceptions," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(1), pages 155-166, January.
    2. Riccardo Puglisi & James M. Snyder Jr., 2015. "The Balanced Us Press," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 13(2), pages 240-264, April.
    3. Rodrigo Taborda, 2013. "Bias in Economic News: The Reporting of Nominal Exchange Rate Behavior in Colombia," Economía Journal, The Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association - LACEA, vol. 0(Fall 2013), pages 103-153, August.
    4. Ardıç, Özgül & Annema, Jan Anne & van Wee, Bert, 2013. "Has the Dutch news media acted as a policy actor in the road pricing policy debate?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 47-63.
    5. Yuan, Han, 2016. "Measuring media bias in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 49-59.

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