Statistical bias in newspaper reporting on campaign finance
6 min read
Rate this book:
About This Book
This paper examines evidence of statistical bias in newspaper reporting on campaign finance. We compile data on all dollar amounts for campaign expenditures, contributions, and receipts reported in the five largest circulation newspapers in the United States from 1996 to 2000. We then compare these figures to the universe of campaign expenditures, contributions and receipts, as recorded by the Federal Election Commission. The figures reported in newspaper accounts exceed the average expenditure and contribution by as much as eight fold. Press reporting also focuses excessively on corporations contributions and soft money, rather than on the more common types of donors - individual - and types of contributions - hard money. We further find that these biases are reflected in public perceptions of money in elections. Keywords: campaign finance, news, media, elections. JEL Classifications: D72, D78, L82.
Buy This Book
As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, BookOrb earns from qualifying purchases.
Write a Review
Sign in to write a review.
More by Stephen Ansolabehere
American Government - a Brief Introduction
American Government - Power an
American Government - Power and Purpose
American Government : a Brief
American Government : a Brief Introduction, 15e with Media Access Registration Card + Common Sense and Other Writings
American Government and a Guid
American Government and a Guide to the United States Constitution
American Government and Govern
American Government and Governing California in the Twenty-First Century
American Government and Readin
American Government and Readings in American Politics