Date of Award
Spring 2019
Degree Type
Essay
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
First Advisor
Dr. Jacqueline Schmidt
Abstract
This study examines the introduction of candidates in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election by examining 1,666 online articles in 3 cable news and 3 online newspapers covering the day before their announcement, the day of announcement, and the day following the announcement. The amount of coverage and tone of the articles was examined to determine the effects of agenda setting, media polarization, and first impressions. Results found variation in the amount of coverage given to candidates; online newspapers generally gave more coverage than online cable news; media polarization occurred slightly in favorable coverage of candidates but all candidates received more favorable than unfavorable articles; and there was no direct connection between media coverage and the candidate’s position in the polls after the first week. Overall, the first impressions of a candidate at their time of announcing candidacy had little effect on the eventual outcome of the 2016 election.
Recommended Citation
Memmer, Ian, "INTRODUCTION OF CANDIDATES AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION - HOW NEWS MEDIA’S INTRODUCTION OF CANDIDATES MAY AFFECT PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF THE CANDIDATE" (2019). Masters Essays. 106.
https://collected.jcu.edu/mastersessays/106
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