Examining the Link Between Issue Attitudes and News Source: The Case of Latinos and Immigration Reform

Abstract

This paper explores whether an individual's news source can explain their attitudes on immigration. We focus on the Spanish-speaking population in the U.S., since they have the option of accessing their news in English, Spanish or in both languages. Our audience influence hypothesis predicts that Spanish-language news will cover immigration in a more positive and informative manner than will English-language news. Thus, Latinos who use Spanish-language news may have a higher likelihood of possessing pro-immigrant sentiments than Latinos who only use English-language news. Content analysis of Spanish and English-language television news segments reveals variations in the tone and substance of these news outlets. Analysis of Latino survey respondents indicates that immigration attitudes vary by news source. Generational status also influences Latinos' immigration attitudes, though its impact is not as great as one's news source.

Do New Media Support New Policy Narratives? The Social Construction of the U.S.–Mexico Border on YouTube

“…Branton and Dunaway (), in their study of California newspaper coverage of immigration, found that newspapers from the U.S. border region played to local anti‐immigration audiences. Abrajano and Singh () demonstrate that, although most English‐language programs cover many negative aspects of the border immigration, Spanish language television from the border region is more likely to present positive coverage of immigration. Chavez () found that for the past four decades, the U.S. traditional media narratives' discussion of the U.S. southern border often focused on national security, and war and invasion metaphors.…”

The Influence of Social Protests on Issue Salience among Latinos

“…Extant research finds that media coverage of an issue influences public opinion on the issue (e.g., Iyengar and Kinder 1987;Kahn and Kenney 2002). Existing research also demonstrates there are differences in the coverage of immigration when comparing English and Spanish-language news organiza tions (e.g., Abrajano and Singh 2009;Branton and Dunaway 2008;Rodriguez 1999). Spanish-language media outlets provide a higher volume of coverage and more positive coverage o f immigration than Englishlanguage media (Branton and Dunaway 2008;Rodriguez 1999).…”

Agenda Setting, Public Opinion, and the Issue of Immigration Reform

“…With immigration, the high volume of media attention may prime public awareness or concern about the issue. Finally, the manner in which immigration is framed may influence public opinion on this policy issue (see Lee, McLeod, and Shah, 2008; Abrajano and Singh, 2009; Domke, McCoy, and Torres, 1999).…”