Bad News, Bad Governance
- 1 July 1996
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
- Vol. 546 (1) , 97-108
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716296546001009
Abstract
There has been a quiet revolution in news reporting during the past few decades. The traditional descriptive style of reporting has given way to an interpretive style that empowers journalists by giving them more control over content. One consequence is a form of news coverage that focuses on the negative aspects of politics. This development contributes to the public's dissatisfaction with its political leaders and institutions and makes it more difficult for officials to govern effectively. The news media's version of reality is exceedingly narrow and cannot be justified by either the journalists' knowledge of political relationships or their position in the political system. The problem would be lessened by a model of reporting that subordinates the voice of the journalist and aims for a more balanced portrayal of the workings of the political system.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Mandates and Policy Outputs: U.S. Party Platforms and Federal ExpendituresAmerican Political Science Review, 1990