The Relationship Between Tone of TV News Coverage and Public Opinion for a Controversial Issue

<jats:p>More than 200 network news stories about the gays-in-the-military issue from 1992-1993 were examined for number and tone (in favor of gays in the military, against gays in the military, both, or neutral), and this coverage was compared with public opinion. Results indicate that news coverage was primarily in favor of gays in the military or neutral in tone. However, there was a significant relationship between news stories that were antigay in tone and public opinion about the issue, with negative tone significantly associated with a later decrease in overall support for allowing homosexuals to serve in the military. Additional effects were identified on the basis of race and political affiliation, although no such effects were found for gender. We suggest that today's news directors and reporters should consider these results when planning coverage of the same-sex marriage issue, which is likely to be prominent in the upcoming presidential election.</jats:p>