The nature of local news media issue coverage of U.S. House members

Fogarty, B. J. (2011) The nature of local news media issue coverage of U.S. House members. Social Science Journal, 48(4), pp. 651-658. (doi: 10.1016/j.soscij.2011.04.003)

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Abstract

In this paper, I examine local newspaper issue coverage of House members after the campaign season has ended. While research on news coverage of campaign issues has been thorough, considerably less attention has been placed on issue coverage outside of campaigns. This is particularly the case for the local news media. Using an extensive content analysis of House member local newspaper coverage over a one-year period, I examine the nature of local and national issue coverage. I find that local issues are covered slightly more than national issues in reporting on House members. Further, members’ strategic use of press releases and the presence of newspapers’ Washington bureaus help explain whether a story will cover a local or national political issue.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Fogarty, Dr Brian
Authors: Fogarty, B. J.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences
Journal Name:Social Science Journal
Publisher:Elsevier Inc.
ISSN:0362-3319
ISSN (Online):1873-5355

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