Thompson, Obama get most positive coverage: study

[sufrommich]

By Paul J. Gough

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - A new study of campaign 2008 coverage finds that Illinois Democrat Barack Obama and former "Law & Order" actor Fred Thompson, a Republican, have enjoyed much more positive coverage than their rivals.

By the same token, longtime media darling John McCain of the GOP has taken a beating in coverage, largely the result of mostly negative stories about his fundraising struggles. The study of coverage was conducted from January 1-May 31 by the Project for Excellence in Journalism and the Joan Shorenstein Center on Press, Politics and Public Policy.

Obama has attained rock star status on the campaign trail even though he's behind Hillary Clinton in the voter polls. Obama received positive coverage in 47% of all stories about him. But the study also found that Obama seemed to be slipping after May, with more neutral and negative stories. Some 46% of the stories about Thompson had been positive with only 4% negative about his candidacy.

Thompson's GOP rival McCain suffered 48% negative coverage and only 12% of what the study considered positive, mostly due to his falling behind in the polls and fund-raising. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani had more negative than positive stories done about him, however, while Clinton had 38% negative and 27% positive stories. Five candidates received half of all coverage.

http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN3056657120071030

[sufrommich]

1. I have often read posts here

claiming that "the corporate media machine" has chosen Hillary as our leader and wondered what they are reading or watching. I've seen very little "shilling for Hillary" out there.

[ccpup]

2. it took me a long time

to realize that, unfortunately, what I often read here on DU has little to do with fact and everything to do with irrationality and a knowing obfuscation of the truth.

[sufrommich]

5. If you tell a lie often enough..... nt

[wyldwolf]

3. It always seems to me that even "positive" media coverage of Clinton has negative undertones

..the writer always has to allude to her being "cold, calculating" etc.

[sufrommich]

4. Yes, I've noticed that too,

The implication being that women who aren't overtly emotional are freakish and unnatural.

[papau]

6. the latest "evil Hillary word" is "scripted" - the media does run as a pack n/t

n/t

[Adelante]

7. I read the full study yesterday

It's very interesting, if anyone wants to read it.

http://www.journalism.org/node/8187

[sufrommich]

8. Worth bookmarking to counter the

inevitable " Hillary has been crowned" noise.

[sandnsea]

9. slipping after May??

The only coverage that matters is the coverage that came after May.