A political science study analyzed the evening news segments of three major television networks during the congressional debate over a major national infrastructure bill. The table below displays the percentage of coverage dedicated to different aspects of the bill:
| Focus of News Segment | Network X | Network Y | Network Z |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategy, political polling, and legislative 'winners and losers' | 58% | 62% | 55% |
| Public policy details, economic impact, and expert analysis | 12% | 15% | 14% |
| Controversies, partisan arguments, and political scandals | 30% | 23% | 31% |
Which of the following is a likely political consequence of the media coverage patterns shown in the table?
- Citizens are likely to develop a stronger understanding of the political conflict and who is winning the legislative battle than of the actual provisions and impacts of the bill.Answer
- BThe president's ability to use the bully pulpit to influence the legislative process will be severely limited because the media controls the agenda.
- CInterest groups will be forced to form iron triangles with the news networks to ensure their policy goals are covered in the news.
- DThe partisan framing of the coverage will override the family as the primary agent of political socialization for most viewers.
Answer
Citizens are likely to develop a stronger understanding of the political conflict and who is winning the legislative battle than of the actual provisions and impacts of the bill.
The correct answer is correct because the table shows that a majority of the news coverage on all three networks is focused on strategy, polling, and winners and losers rather than policy substance. This type of reporting, known as horse-race journalism or the scorekeeper role, leads to a public that is highly aware of the political competition but lacks detailed knowledge of the policy itself.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The scorekeeper (horse-race journalism) role of the media and its impact on public knowledge.