Erosion of Television Coverage of City Hall? Perceptions of TV Reporters on the Beat

Abstract

In a mail survey of 283 television journalists (67 percent completion) who cover city government in the 214 U.S. television markets, respondents were asked about station commitment to local government news in terms of prominence, airtime, and perceived newsroom importance. Small-market stations were seen as more committed to covering city hall, a finding consistent with content analysis data about local news coverage. More veteran reporters perceived diminishing commitment and quality during the last five years, with fewer stories and less airtime.

“Erosion” of Television City Hall Reporting? Perceptions of Reporters on the Beat in 2014 and 2001

“…Coulson et al (2001) did not report race data on the 1997 sample, but 15% of the 2014 city hall television reporters who responded were non-White (data from the Willnat & Weaver [2014] national survey indicate that in 2013, only 8.5% of respondents were minority journalists).…”

“…In terms of demographic characteristics, the 2014 respondents were older and more experienced than the 1997 sample (Coulson et al, 2001): 34% of 1997 respondents had more than 5 years of experience, compared with 57% of 2014 respondents. Even though the 2014 sample's age range mirrored the 1997 sample (range = 22-66 years), the 2014 mean age was 38 years, compared with the mean of 33 in the 1997 sample.…”

“…Table 3 provides the relevant comparisons of mean agreement scores across market size for the 2014 respondents (no direct comparison with means reported by Coulson et al [2001] is offered; the 1997 survey used a 7-point scale whereas the 2014 survey used a 5-point scale).…”

Television Reporters' Perceptions of How Television and Newspaper Competition Affects City Hall Coverage

“…They did not believe that they are provided the opportunity to report thoroughly on city hall or that adequate air time and prominence are given to that coverage. Veteran reporters perceived a downward trend in city hall reporting, with the number of stories, air time, and quality of coverage decreasing (Coulson, Riffe, Lacy, & St. Cyr, 2001).…”

“…Additionally, small markets have fewer crimes and accidents that provide visuals and sensational stories (Coulson et al, 2001).…”