The new media and the dramatization of American politics
Abstract
In the 1990s, the “new media” emerged as a major political factor in the United States. As the decade wore on, more and more Americans made use of new news sources, such as cable news, political talk programs, and Internet news. While several studies have discussed the ways new media coverage of politics differs from traditional news, very little systematic analysis has been conducted. Furthermore, very little has been done to empirically examine the effect of the new media on public opinion. I argue that new media coverage of politics differs from traditional news by dramatizing the political process. I contend that the new media's coverage of conflict, scandal, sensationalism, and other aspects of political drama is more extensive than today's traditional media. This approach to covering politics provides a more entertaining picture of the political process, but also adversely affects approval for political leaders and the news media as an institution.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Clawson, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Political science|Mass media
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