Study: TV’s War Against Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Agenda
Article subtitle:
The networks' coverage has been relentlessly hostile to the administration
Article CAIRCO note:
Media bias has gone into overdrive
Article publisher:
NewsBusters
Article date:
26 July 2018
Article category:
National News
Medium
Article Body:
During the 18 months of the Trump presidency, immigration has received more airtime on the three broadcast evening news shows than any other policy topic. The networks’ coverage has been relentlessly hostile to the administration (92% negative, just 8% positive), largely because these newscasts have framed nearly all of their coverage around the plight of those adversely affected by the administration’s enforcement agenda, and have virtually ignored law enforcement or anyone harmed by illegal immigration.
...
The networks’ coverage of each of these topics has been extremely critical of the Trump administration....
Lopsided as it is, the networks’ preference for soundbites from Trump’s victims doesn’t fully account for the 92% negative news on this topic. Reporters and anchors themselves amplified the messages of “fear,” “dread,” and even “terror” among those barred from entering the U.S. or facing deportation....
Authentic news coverage would present both sides, and trust that viewers could make up their own minds. During the past 18 months, the networks’ coverage of immigration has not been news, but rather obvious advocacy — heroes vs. villains, good guys vs. bad guys — with the administration clearly wearing the black hats.
CAIRCO Research