The media and Hillary Rodham Clinton: Similarities and differences in 1993 coverage Item Type text; Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) Authors DeCamp, Mary Helen, 1957- Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 01/10/2021 05:50:25 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/291573 INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. 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Contact UMI directly to order. University Microfilms International A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-':346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Order Number 1358973 The media and Hillary Rodham Clinton: Similarities and differences in 1993 coverage DeCamp, Mary Helen, M.A. The University of Arizona, 1994 UMI 300 N. ZeebRd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 THE MEDIA & HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN 1993 COVERAGE by Mary Helen DeCamp A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 19 9 4 2 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended (potation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNED APPROVAL BY THESIS DIRECTOR This thesis has been approved on the date shown below: •-/i • • ' /-C Henry C. Kenski Date Associate Professor of Communication 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I gratefully acknowledge the help and guidance given to me by my committee members, Dr. Henry Kenski, Dr. Henry Ewbank, and Dr. Thomas Volgy. I hope one day to follow in their footsteps, providing instruction and encouragement to another generation of students. Barbara Walkosz generously served as my big sister/graduate student advisor and I am indebted for the well-rounded support she provided. In seeking to expand my intellectual horizons, I am thankful for the mentoring role provided by those who have trod the path before me, smoothing the way and guiding my direction. Special thanks to degreed co-workers who gave me an example to follow: Tom Abens, Elise Calmus, Brenda Casey, Diane Foray, Jon Harvey, Dick King, Jhan Kold, Tom Ofe, Jim Rusk, and Mercy Valencia. Inspiration is a wonderful gift to impart. But life is the ultimate gift, and lastly I want to thank my parents and my brothers for giving me life, for teaching me about life, and for sharing my life. 4 DEDICATION "it is of great Importance to fix the Taste of our Country properly...your Example will go very far...everything about you should be substantially good and majestically plain." Mr. Morris' advice to Martha Washington (Anthony, 1990, p. 45) I dedicate this work to the memory of Eleanor Roosevelt and all other strong women. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES 7 ABSTRACT 8 THE MEDIA 10 Agenda-Setting, Framing, and Priming 10 Functions: Entertainment Versus Education ...... 13 Gathering the News 14 THE ROLE OF FIRST LADY 16 Historical Aspects 16 Role Model 17 Helpmate 19 Policy Partner 20 Ceremonial & Substantive Aspects of the Role . .21 STUDYING MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE FIRST LADY 23 Hillary Rodham Clinton 23 Research Problems 27 RESEARCH DESIGN 30 Questions of Interest 31 Methodology 32 Story Selection 33 Analysis 35 RESULTS 39 Proposition 1 - Content 39 Hypothesis 1 - Content 39 Test Method 1 - Content 39 Findings 1 - Content 40 Proposition 2 - Quantity Within Channels 46 Hypothesis 2 - Quantity Within Channels 47 Test Method 2 - Quantity Within Channels 47 Findings 2 - Quantity Within Channels 47 Proposition 3 - Quantity Between Channels 51 Hypothesis 3 - Quantity Between Channels 52 Test Method 3 - Quantity Between Channels 52 Findings 3 - Quantity Between Channels 52 Proposition 4 - Prominence Within Channels 55 Hypothesis 4 - Prominence Within Channels 56 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS - Continued Test Method 4 - Prominence Within Channels 56 Findings 4 - Prominence Within Channels 57 Proposition 5 - Balanced Coverage 63 Hypothesis 5 - Balanced Coverage 63 Test Method 5 - Balanced Coverage 63 Findings 5 - Balanced Coverage 64 Proposition 6 - Unbiased Coverage 66 Hypothesis 6 - Unbiased Coverage 66 Test Method 6 - Unbiased Coverage 66 Findings 6 - Unbiased Coverage 67 Proposition 7 - Framing 77 Hypothesis 7 - Framing 78 Test Method 7 - Framing 78 Findings 7 - Framing 78 Proposition 8 - Visuals 80 Hypothesis 8 - Visuals 80 Test Method 8 - Visuals 80 Findings 8 - Visuals 80 Proposition 9 - Beat Reporters 82 Hypothesis 9 - Beat Reporters 82 Test Method 9 - Beat Reporters 82 Findings 9 - Beat Reporters 83 Proposition 10 - Congruence 85 Hypothesis 10 = Congruence 85 Test Method 10 - Congruence 85 Findings 10 - Congruence 86 DISCUSSION 87 A - SYNOPSIS OF H. CLINTON'S LIFE 91 B - CODING SHEET AND INSTRUCTIONS 112 C - LIST OF TELEVISION STORIES 117 D - OVERSIZED CALENDAR OF STORIES 12 6 REFERENCES 138 7 LIST OF TABLES 1. Gallup Poll - Most Admired Women 18 2. Overview 37 3. Summary Table - Content 41 4. Summary Table - Role 45 5. Summary Table - Quantity 47 6. Number of All Stories - Overview 48 7. Number of Prominent Stories - Overview 49 8. Number of All Stories - Monthly 54 9. Newscasts - Story Placement 57 10. Newscasts - Story Length 58 11. Newspapers - Story Length 59 12. Weekly Magazines - Story Placement 60 13. Weekly Magazines - Story Length 61 14. Summary Table - Balance 64 15. Summary Table - Bias/Slant 68 16. Newscasts - Bias/Slant 69 17. Newspapers - Bias/Slant 73 18. Weekly Magazines - Bias/Slant 76 19. Summary Table - Framing 79 20. Summary Table - Visuals 81 21. Summary Table - Beat Reporters 83 22. Summary Table - Congruence 86 8 ABSTRACT Media choose words and pictures to tell stories. Opinion formation is influenced when audiences do not have direct personal involvement, if the source is credible, and where the information conforms to preconceived stereotypes - conditions present when news focuses on First Ladies. This seminal work evaluates similarities and differences in media portrayals of a new type of First Lady. Data from 1993 news are collected from nine mass media news sources (three television, three newspapers, and three magazines) to analyze the content of stories, number of stories, placement of stories, portrayals of Hillary Clinton's role, whether balanced sources are cited, if bias is evident, what type of framing is used, how many reporters contribute to coverage, presence of visuals, and conaruitv among elements. Prominently placed news stories feature Hillary Clinton's policy role more than ceremonial functions or character issues. Numbers of stories vary significantly within newspaper and weekly magazine channels, and differences exist in percentages of prominent stories in television and newspaper channels, but not in magazines. Stories generally present balanced points of view and employ neutral reporting styles. Episodic framing is more prevalent than thematic approaches. Reliance on "beat" reporters varies by channel 9 and by outlet within channels. Newspapers contain fewer visual images and television presents the most congruent coverage. 10 THE MEDIA & HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN 1993 COVERAGE THE MEDIA Acrenda-Setting. Framing, and Priming When George Washington was elected America's first President, the news spread through newspapers, handbills, and by word of mouth. In those days there were not a lot of ways to get a message disseminated to the mass public. Today broadcast options abound: word of mouth, books, newspapers,