Heterogeneity and Homogeneity in Public Responsiveness to Media and Policy

• In Event: Responsiveness and Political Efficacy in Advanced Democracies

Abstract

Full title:
Heterogeneity and (Mostly) Homogeneity in Public Responsiveness to Media and Policy

ABSTRACT:
This paper explores heterogeneity in the relationship between media coverage and public responsiveness to policy. We begin with a review of findings that illustrate the critical role that media can play producing an informed and responsive public. Using large scale content-analytic data tracking media coverage of public policy across 22 newspapers and television networks across nearly four decades, we show that publics are more responsive to policy change when there is accurate media coverage of that change. We then consider heterogeneity in public responsiveness to policy and the media policy signal, as there may be reason to presume that responsiveness to media coverage is more pronounced for those who are especially attentive to the news. There also may be differences across groups based on education or party identification. We consider all of these possibilities, the results of which largely support previous research that identifies “parallel publics” in preferences for spending (and other policies).

Authors

• Christopher Wlezien, University of Texas at Austin

• Stuart N. Soroka, University of Michigan