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Partisan media exposure, polarization, and candidate evaluations in the 2016 general election

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  • David S. Morris
  • Jonathan S. Morris

Abstract

Objective This study aims to examine the influence of Republican and Democratic partisan television news on attitudes toward candidates for president immediately following the 2016 general election. Method Using two waves of the 2016 American National Election Study, we examine feelings toward Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton before and after the election. Results Exposure to Republican partisan media did have a significant negative effect on feelings toward Hillary Clinton, even when controlling for party identification, ideology, and feelings toward Clinton before the election. Consumption of Democratic partisan television, however, had no influence on feelings toward Donald Trump. Conclusion Further fragmentation and the expansion of partisan media has—and will continue to—benefit Republicans over Democrats.

Suggested Citation

  • David S. Morris & Jonathan S. Morris, 2022. "Partisan media exposure, polarization, and candidate evaluations in the 2016 general election," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(5), pages 1101-1112, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:103:y:2022:i:5:p:1101-1112
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13182
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cagdas Agirdas, 2015. "What Drives Media Bias? New Evidence From Recent Newspaper Closures," Journal of Media Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 123-141, September.
    2. Hetherington, Marc J., 2009. "Review Article: Putting Polarization in Perspective," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 39(2), pages 413-448, April.
    3. Stefano DellaVigna & Ethan Kaplan, 2007. "The Fox News Effect: Media Bias and Voting," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 122(3), pages 1187-1234.
    4. Nadeau, Richard & Blais, André, 1993. "Accepting the Election Outcome: The Effect of Participation on Losers' Consent," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 23(4), pages 553-563, October.
    5. Yphtach Lelkes & Gaurav Sood & Shanto Iyengar, 2017. "The Hostile Audience: The Effect of Access to Broadband Internet on Partisan Affect," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 61(1), pages 5-20, January.
    6. Jonathan S. Morris, 2007. "Slanted Objectivity? Perceived Media Bias, Cable News Exposure, and Political Attitudes," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 88(3), pages 707-728, September.
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