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The influence of economic factors on media content bias theories. Analysis of media coverage of Barack Obama´s inaugural address

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  • Francesc, Pujol
  • Juan Carlos, Molero

Abstract

This paper presents a method to make measurable how media coverage releases information. We consider two causes of bias regarding how the different newspapers manage and present government issues from Barack Obama’s presidential inaugural address. In our empirical analysis, we find that there is a bias according to the political party which dominates in each State. Also, a second bias arises from some previous economic and social features among the different States. In this sense, media moves according to some selected characteristic of the States. The release of information is influenced, among others, by variables like Afro-American citizenship, unemployment or poverty. But, testing ideology and economic and social bias at the same time, we can conclude that only economic reasons really finally matter.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesc, Pujol & Juan Carlos, Molero, 2025. "The influence of economic factors on media content bias theories. Analysis of media coverage of Barack Obama´s inaugural address," MPRA Paper 125196, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:125196
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hong Huang & Hua Zhu & Wenshi Liu & Hua Gao & Hai Jin & Bang Liu, 2024. "Uncovering the essence of diverse media biases from the semantic embedding space," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Tim Groseclose & Jeffrey Milyo, 2005. "A Measure of Media Bias," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 120(4), pages 1191-1237.
    3. Frederick Fico & Stephen Lacy & Daniel Riffe, 2008. "A Content Analysis Guide for Media Economics Scholars," Journal of Media Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(2), pages 114-130.
    4. 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.
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    JEL classification:

    • H80 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - General
    • H89 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Other

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