TV News and the Military: Exploring Media Frames of an American Institution

Abstract

This exploratory study analyzes television news transcripts ( N = 300) to examine how broadcast news networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) and cable news networks (CNN, Fox, and MSNBC) cover military veterans and service members in news programming. Findings show that the stories and sources of broadcast news networks focused on veterans and service members or their families, while cable news networks relied on legislative issues, politicians and other elite sources. Other findings and recommendations are discussed.