Congress, the Press, and Political Accountability

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Journalism, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science
Cover of the book Congress, the Press, and Political Accountability by R. Douglas Arnold, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: R. Douglas Arnold ISBN: 9781400849581
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: October 31, 2013
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: R. Douglas Arnold
ISBN: 9781400849581
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: October 31, 2013
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Congress, the Press, and Political Accountability is the first large-scale examination of how local media outlets cover members of the United States Congress. Douglas Arnold asks: do local newspapers provide the information citizens need in order to hold representatives accountable for their actions in office? In contrast with previous studies, which largely focused on the campaign period, he tests various hypotheses about the causes and consequences of media coverage by exploring coverage during an entire congressional session.

Using three samples of local newspapers from across the country, Arnold analyzes all coverage over a two-year period--every news story, editorial, opinion column, letter, and list. First he investigates how twenty-five newspapers covered twenty-five local representatives; and next, how competing newspapers in six cities covered their corresponding legislators. Examination of an even larger sample, sixty-seven newspapers and 187 representatives, shows why some newspapers cover legislators more thoroughly than do other papers. Arnold then links the coverage data with a large public opinion survey to show that the volume of coverage affects citizens' awareness of representatives and challengers.

The results show enormous variation in coverage. Some newspapers cover legislators frequently, thoroughly, and accessibly. Others--some of them famous for their national coverage--largely ignore local representatives. The analysis also confirms that only those incumbents or challengers in the most competitive races, and those who command huge sums of money, receive extensive coverage.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Congress, the Press, and Political Accountability is the first large-scale examination of how local media outlets cover members of the United States Congress. Douglas Arnold asks: do local newspapers provide the information citizens need in order to hold representatives accountable for their actions in office? In contrast with previous studies, which largely focused on the campaign period, he tests various hypotheses about the causes and consequences of media coverage by exploring coverage during an entire congressional session.

Using three samples of local newspapers from across the country, Arnold analyzes all coverage over a two-year period--every news story, editorial, opinion column, letter, and list. First he investigates how twenty-five newspapers covered twenty-five local representatives; and next, how competing newspapers in six cities covered their corresponding legislators. Examination of an even larger sample, sixty-seven newspapers and 187 representatives, shows why some newspapers cover legislators more thoroughly than do other papers. Arnold then links the coverage data with a large public opinion survey to show that the volume of coverage affects citizens' awareness of representatives and challengers.

The results show enormous variation in coverage. Some newspapers cover legislators frequently, thoroughly, and accessibly. Others--some of them famous for their national coverage--largely ignore local representatives. The analysis also confirms that only those incumbents or challengers in the most competitive races, and those who command huge sums of money, receive extensive coverage.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Governing America by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book From England to France by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Matrix Mathematics by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Death to Tyrants! by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Strange New Worlds by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Synchronicity by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Waiting for José by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Relativity by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Birds of Peru by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book The Work of the Dead by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Normal Accidents by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Terror in France by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Grimm Legacies by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book A History of Ambiguity by R. Douglas Arnold
Cover of the book Can Islam Be French? by R. Douglas Arnold
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy