MediaWatch: August 1992
Table of Contents:
Equally Kind and Gentle Coverage in Houston
EASY ON THE DEMOCRATS
What did viewers glean from four nights of network coverage of the Democratic National Convention and what might it portend for coverage of the Republicans? MediaWatch reviewed all ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC prime time coverage. Below is a list of conclusions and a suggested way of judging whether each network treats the GOP the same as they did the Democrats.
Labeling: The networks never called the Clinton-Gore ticket or the Democratic platform liberal, only "moderate," "centrist," or "conservative." In total, the networks issued 88 labels, just two more than 1988. During the 1988 Republican convention, viewers heard 214 labels (182 of them conservative). Question #1: Will the networks show more evenhandedness in Houston by using fewer labels? Question #2: The networks reflected the liberal view that Clinton moderated the party. Given that conservatives believe President Bush has moved the Republican Party leftward, will the labeling of Bush reflect this shift?
Agenda of Questions: More questions representing a political agenda came from the left than from the right. In total, Democrats were challenged from the right just 38 times. In 1988, the networks made Democrats respond to 49 GOP agenda questions, but Republicans had to answer 128 Democratic agenda questions. Question #3: Will the networks again make Republicans respond to the arguments of their opponents more than twice as often? Will reporters pose more questions from the right than the left (e.g., Bush's environmental policies are not liberal enough)?
Controversies: Like 1988, when only ABC brought up Jim Wright's transgressions (twice), this year the House Bank and Post Office scandals involving the House leadership never came up on ABC, CBS, or NBC. (CNN mentioned them once in the 7 pm ET hour). Similarly, none of the networks raised charges about the Clintons' involvement with a failed S&L. All the networks made passing reference to how Bill Clinton had to overcome charges of draft dodging and marital infidelity, but none investigated any further. Question #4: Will the networks give similar light treatment to Republican scandals, from Neil Bush's S&L role to Iran-Contra to the October Surprise?
Pennsylvania Gov. Bob Casey's fight against the Democrats' abortion-on-demand stance generated nothing on ABC and CBS, only an interview on NBC, and an interview and four mentions on CNN Question #5: Will the networks give more time to Ann Stone and pro-choice Republicans than they did to Casey and other pro-life Democrats?
