Women Candidates and the Media: 1992‐2000 Elections

Abstract

Studies examining newspaper coverage of gubernatorial and senatorial candidates running in the 1980s found women to be at a disadvantage compared to men. Although women are still underrepresented as senators and governors, they have increased their numbers in more recent years. With greater representation, has press coverage become more gender neutral? To answer this important question, coverage of men and women senatorial and gubernatorial candidates running between 1992 and 2000 is analyzed. Findings suggest, in general, that newspaper coverage of candidates has become increasingly gender‐balanced. Although certain disparities exist, some differences now actually favor women candidates. Some possible explanations for more balanced newspaper coverage are also discussed.

When Race, Gender, and the Media Intersect: Campaign News Coverage of Minority Congresswomen

“…Similarly, examinations of African-American 1 candidates and elected officials have found news coverage of these members often focuses disproportionately on race and related issues (Canon 1999;Chaudhary 1980;Croteau and Hoynes 1994;Niven 2002;Schaffner 2002;Terkildsen 1996;Terkildsen and Damore 1999;Zilber and Niven 2000). In contrast to the bulk of research in these fields, several scholars have recently suggested that the ability of female and minority candidates to attract positive media attention may have improved (e.g., Bystrom et al 2004;Jalalzai 2006;Schaffner 2002;Schaffner and Gadson 2004), suggesting that gender and race may not provide the serious barriers to equal media coverage that they once did.…”

A spine of steel and a heart of gold: newspaper coverage of the first female Speaker of the House

“…The move toward more equitable coverage of female politicians is apparent, but certainly not swift (Banwart et al 2003, Jalalzai 2006. While coverage that is increasing in parity is positive, there are still some notable constraints on dramatic shifts in the gendering of women candidates; in particular, the persistence of stereotypes, role and competency evaluations, and, as this study confirms, the strategic choices made by women in politics.…”

“…Banwart et al (2003) found that female candidates in the 2000 Senate and gubernatorial primary races Journal of Gender Studies 183 received more coverage than their male counterparts, although they continued to face some stereotypical bias. Analyzing newspaper coverage of gubernatorial and senatorial candidates between 1992 and 2000, Jalalzai (2006) reported an increasingly genderbalanced approach. The Media Report to Women (2005) also noted that the rise of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had improved the visibility of female politicians in the US media.…”

Just the Facts? Media Coverage of Female and Male High Court Appointees in Five Democracies

“…Initial studies demonstrated that compared with men, women candidates in U.S. elections received less media coverage, less prominent coverage (Kahn 1992(Kahn , 1994Kahn and Goldenberg 1991), more negative coverage, greater focus on the viability of their campaigns (Kahn 1996), and greater emphasis on appearance and personal life; the coverage also deemphasized individual accomplishments and often corresponded with common gender stereotypes. However, Smith (1997) and Jalalzai (2006) report a general trend toward more equitable coverage and less gender stereotyping for candidates for the U.S. Senate or governorships. Bystrom, Robertson, and Banwart's (2001) analysis of the 2000 Senate and gubernatorial primaries concludes that women candidates received more coverage than men, suggesting less pronounced differences over time.…”