How
Representatives
are Represented
State Legislature’s Portrayal in the
Media
By Mimi Goldberg
Introduction
╺ La Voz
╺ Banner Desert Medical Center
╺ AZ House of Representatives
Research Question
╺ How is the state legislature portrayed in
the media, and how does this affect
public opinion?
╺ How is the state legislature portrayed in
the media, and what can be done to
improve reporting of the media and
connect citizens with their legislators?
Background
╶ Print Media
╶ News Media
╶ Social Media
Methodology
╺ Tracking every bill
╺ Analyzing different components of the media
╺ Print Media and Freelance Journalism
Results and
Analysis
Overall Coverage
╺ Use of Freelance Journalists
╺ Focus on Outcomes
╺ Reports after Committee Process
╺ Growth of Social Media
Results and
Analysis:
News Media
╺ ABC 15
╺ FOX10
╺ 12News
╺ CBS 5
Results and Analysis:
Print Media
╺ Howard
Fischer of Capitol Media
Services
╺ Community submissions
╺ Possibility of an introduction of bias into
coverage, shift of voter opinion on issues,
especially when there is a lack of
transparency to this issue.
Arizona
Newspapers
10
Reporters covering
legislature
11
Newspapers using
Howard Fischer
12
Reporters
covering sports
13
Results and
Analysis:
Social Media
╺ Communication between legislators and
constituents
╺ Livestream and misinformation
╺ Used primarily by opposition
Results and
Analysis:
Legislative Perspective
╺ Different methods of communication
╺ Different levels of trust in media
Overall
Conclusions
╺ Issues in AZ mirror issues in the country
╺ Suggestions: increase free-lance
journalism, increase accountability, report
before committees, use caution with
social media
Acknowledgements
╺ Mr.
Lester and Senior Project
Committee
╺ Rep. Ugenti-Rita
╺ Mr. Klugman
╺ Blogging Group