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Study: MSNBC Had More Negative Coverage of Romney Than Fox Had Toward Obama

Nov. 2, 2012 12:50pm Madeleine Morgenstern

Pew Study: MSNBC Had More Negative Coverage of Romney Than Fox Had Toward Obama

MSNBC had more negative reporting about Mitt Romney than Fox News had toward Barack Obama, a new study from the Pew Research Center found.

Pew’s Project for Excellence in Journalism analyzed the tone of news coverage between Aug. 27 and Oct. 21 and found that both candidates overall received more negative reporting than positive. That divide was more pronounced for Romney on MSNBC and for Obama on Fox News, but MSNBC’s negative coverage of Romney still outstripped Fox’s reporting on Obama.

From Pew:

The study also reveals the degree to which the two cable channels that have built themselves around ideological programming, MSNBC and Fox, stand out from other mainstream media outlets. And MSNBC stands out the most. On that channel, 71% of the segments studied about Romney were negative in nature, compared with just 3% that were positive — a ratio of roughly 23-to-1. On Fox, 46% of the segments about Obama were negative, compared with 6% that were positive — a ratio of about 8-to-1 negative. These made them unusual among channels or outlets that identified themselves as news organizations.

Pew Study: MSNBC Had More Negative Coverage of Romney Than Fox Had Toward Obama

According to the study, Obama enjoyed an overall positive coverage advantage until his widely-panned performance in the first presidential debate on Oct. 3, after which his edge disappeared virtually overnight. Before the first debate, Obama’s coverage was 22 percent positive and 27 percent negative, compared to Romney’s 11 percent positive and 44 percent negative.

That flipped after the debate, when Obama’s coverage turned 13 percent positive and 36 percent negative to Romney’s 20 percent positive and 30 percent negative.

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Comments (64)

Larry E
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 2:15pm
Telling the truth about Obama means that the story is pretty much going to be negative. PMSNBC doesn’t know how to tell the truth about either candidate so they’re very positive for Obama and very negative about Romney. No surprise.

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- johnjamison
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 2:30pm
  My thoughts exactly with media outlets negative stories were actually more factual never even comes into play in the article.
  
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- oneshiner
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 3:04pm
  Talk about negative. I bet MSNBC won’t even cover this message from Joe Biden. He’s had it too.
  
  Did Biden Just Say He Has Never Been Proud to be Obama’s VP?
  
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:58pm by Becket Adams Becket Adam
  
  Report this comment
- Gold Coin & Economic News
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 4:36pm
  MSNBC is biased? Are you kidding me, all one has to do is listen to lunatic Chris Matthews for 15 seconds to figure that out:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RLBEPUOZ_8
  
  Report this comment
- realindependent
  Posted on November 3, 2012 at 5:48pm
  That’s because you guys never mention Romney. You don’t like him. Never have liked him. You are voting against Obama. That’s why your going to loose on Tuesday
  
  Romney will say and Do anything to get elected. That includes lying. As he just did about Chrysler shipping all the manufacturing jobs to China.
  
  Or Obama removing the work requirement from welfare. And quoting the Heritage Foundation as the source. FLMAO No one is buying what Mittens is selling…..
  
  Can’t win by Hating someone. God loves and doesn’t lie. Neither does Obama. That’s why God wants him to win….
  
  Enjoying buying your Emergency rations and Glenn Beck books for the next 4 years…
  
  Report this comment
- tifosa
  Posted on November 3, 2012 at 5:52pm
  LOL! from 8/27-10/21 ONLY…hahaha!
  
  Report this comment
- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on November 4, 2012 at 2:27am
  The majority of both shows on Fox News and MSNBC are pundit shows.
  
  They have a demographic of audience they’re trying to reach and aren’t trying to inform but instead talk to people who already agree with them thus validating their position.
  
  Report this comment
Proverbs17-12NLT
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 2:05pm
MSNBC new slogan: Fair and Unbalanced.

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- oneshiner
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:06pm
  Good one and absolutely TRUE
  
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Joey Joe Joe
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 2:03pm
Where’s CNN? This study compares a fringe MSNBC outlet with FOX, the largest cable news network (like it or not). The omission of CNN implies that FOX is just as far extreme right as MSDNC is extreme left, which anyone knows is not true. What is CNN then, fair and balanced? I think not.

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Individualism
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 2:01pm
Newsreel is Newsreel whether its neo con or neo lib. both are goverment censored corporate banker propaganda.

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- Uranium Wedge
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 10:29pm
  Yup.
  
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HYPNOTOAD
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:41pm
I woke up this morning with a great idea! With all the leftists bussing in welfare people to vote and even voting for them probably multiple times and unions giving out money to vote, It got me thinking.

In the battle ground states, conservative business’ should have a “EBT Appreciation Day” on November 6th. Prey on their need for free stuff and let their greed get the best of them. What ever it is you offer for free, make it super slow to dole out so the lines are long and they get so tired after waiting for hours in line for their free treasure that they will go home to recuperate.

Fight the libs with their own tactics I say. If you are a conservative theatre owner, offer free movies all day to EBT card holders. Get creative.

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- KIWL-DA-WABBIT
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 2:00pm
  Spread rumors that there is free Obama money somewhere, that’ll do it.
  
  Report this comment
- oneshiner
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 10:27pm
  Hey ya’ll………they’re giving away food stamps and free cell phones across town, hurry over and get in line.
  
  Report this comment
overthecliff
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:36pm
Just proves Fox lies as well. They had to manufacture 6% positive stories about Obama.

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overthecliff
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:34pm
Did someone from Pew get paid for doing this study? It is like doing a study to determine if the sun came up yesterday!

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MiCurmudgeon
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:31pm
So how will both of the people who watch MSNBC matter in the election?

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- mike551
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:40pm
  ROFLMAO!!!! Good one. My chuckle for the day. TNKS
  
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- KIWL-DA-WABBIT
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:41pm
  The people that vote Obama refuse to watch FOX or anything else that could possibly educate them about their error
  
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- Uranium Wedge
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 10:27pm
  Because, each of those votes count as 45 million.
  
  Report this comment
The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:30pm
BREAKING NEWS

the sky is blue

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biohazard23
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:27pm
As a concerned mother, I beg the higher-ups at the Blaze to please please please stop forcing your student interns to watch PMSNBC. What did they do to deserve that? It’s cruel and inhumane treatment and I’m sure it violates Geneva and probably a few other international treaties to which we are signatories as well. It probably also inflates their viewership so STOP IT!!

:)

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- biohazard23
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:31pm
  BTW, have a good weekend, everybody!
  
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Popp40
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:19pm
So my question is….will MSNBC cover this survey on their channel or website?

I’ll take it a step further…will any MSM outlet cover this?

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RaydocX
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:17pm
It’s a headline from Captain Obvious!
better, at least than anything you see at nbc/cbs/abc, where the head editor is Major Oblivious!

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Gonzo
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:09pm
MSNBC gets more viewers from clips on The Blaze than it does on cable.

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- 22AUTOMATIC
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:46pm
  Unfortunately the study failed to dig deeper into this subject. Prior to 1996 all of the news outlets were biased (read Goldberg’s book) and most dishonest in their reporting (to prop up progessives and put down conservatives). Fox News, since 1996, brought the first fair & balanced network to television. They do lean slightly right in their reporting because there’s only so many hours in a day and if they didn’t truth actually would go unreported. Plus, the only person on the network who openly supports conservative causes is Hannity. In fact, eliminate his show from this study, and the numbers/ratios would be much more close. That’s why I like Fox. They’re the underdog. The entire demonic media world hates them and as a wise man once said, “you are judged as much by your enemies as your friends.” To explain it another way, picture all 50 states in America as the “mainstream” media (newspapers, tv news, hollywood etc). Up until the past few years, Fox News was Rhode Island. Yet year after year “Rhode Island”, as small as it is, has more viewers than almost all the others combined. Year after year it’s voted the most trusted network. And lastly, the entire Libya scandal has truly exposed this probably more than any other single story in recent memory. It’s not just “bias” anymore, the other networks actually lie regularly either blatently or by omission. Do this: Grab a stop watch, turn on MSNBC randomly, and see if you can get past 30 seconds w
  
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- Joey Joe Joe
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 2:16pm
  Good point 22Automatic. Hannity probably accounted a vast majority of the negatives, which is totally understandable given he has an opinion show. Also, the study is extraordinarily subjective considering they are measuring “tone”. They should have limited their study to only the hard news shows.
  
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- 22AUTOMATIC
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 4:14pm
  You’re right, Hannity’s show is opinion and not really “news.” Though I don’t regularly watch Hannity I respect him. Unlike say…O’Donnell, Sean is not mean and nasty and doesn’t put people down. In fact, he can’t be mean. He’s even trying to be polite/nice when he argues. Which reminds me, that’s another thing about FNC, they ACTUALLY SMILE! The people on that network are ACTUALLY NICE PEOPLE! What a concept! The men and women look HEALTHY! Why? No guilt. No hatred. No worrying about lies catching up with them. Just good friendly hard-working honest and genuine folks.
  Contrast that to say MSNBC for example. Their lies and deceit are eating away at their consciences right before our eyes. They know what they’re doing is evil and it’s killing them inside.
  Maddow: Suffers from major depression (conscience) Had an affair with her female college journalism professor and was caught (scholar?). Corrupt. Accepted money from labor bosses while anchoring her propaganda show (don’t take my word, look all of this up).
  Shultz: Suffers from hypertension/heart trouble (hate/anger). Also accepted bribes from labor unions especially during the Wisconsin recall election ($200k). Projection (accuses everyone of the things he’s guilty of).
  O’donnell: Look at pictures of him without make-up. Looks 15 years older than he his (frown marks, wrinkled skin). Poor health (guilt, hatred, dishonest – conscience).
  Matthews: Turns to alcohol an
  
  Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:06pm
Shoot, the title of this article describes Martin Bashir’s program alone at BSNBC! Then you can add in all of the others….LOL!

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- The-Monk
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:20pm
  Hi RJJ,
  
  Ole Martin lies so much it’s almost fun to watch. : )
  
  Report this comment
- CatB
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:28pm
  What else would we expect .. MSDNC .. campaign headquarters for re-elect Obama.
  
  Report this comment
chkiaar
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:05pm
Am I suppose to be surprised?!?!?

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- Popp40
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:17pm
  Hold on let me show you my shocked face!
  
  Report this comment
huey6367
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:01pm
That’s news? I coulda told ya that.

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jackact
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:59pm
What difference does it make?
In another week MSNBC will be down to 50 viewers.
:)

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- 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:06pm
  Did you mean UP to 50 viewers?
  
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- huskerman723
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:30pm
  MSNBC will set records Tuesday and Wednesday next week when republicans like me tune in too watch the whole crew whine and cry about the election results. I cannot wait!
  
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Cibolo
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:59pm
Tell us something we don’t know. All Mass Media is corrupt, but at least Fox has some (minimal) credibility….

Look at who owns the MSM channels and then you will find the problem (corruption) in our system!

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progressiveslayer
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:58pm
And this is news to whom? Oh yes the subhuman OBAMAZOMBIES who see no bias in the media.
The simpleton libs who can’t think for themselves and worship government,those drones.

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- 2MINUTESTOMIDNIGHT
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:08pm
  The shocker is the claim of 3% positive for Romney. I seriously doubt it was that high.
  
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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:22pm
  Yeah I know it’s closer to 1% probably less because msnbc is nothing but propagandist pigs for the Marxist mulatto bisexual POS fraud heathen.
  
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RepublitarianPrime77
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:57pm
Have to hand it to the Pew Research folks… they must be very strong to be able to sit through and study hours and hours of the liberal bias at MSNBC.

After about 3-4 hours of Rachel Maddow I would probably lose it and have PTSD

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FEMALL
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:57pm
OMG! Alert the Media! Oh…wait…

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HollyRye
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:57pm
“built themselves around ideological programming, MSNBC and Fox, stand out from other mainstream media outlets.”
That statement right there makes me question the validity of the study. The assumption appears to be that the other media sources have no ideology and treat the candidates equally. Talk about a flawed assumption!

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TSUNAMI_22
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:57pm
More liberals watch Fox than MSNBC.

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KickinBack
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:57pm
It took a study to determine that? What’s actually shocking is that MSNBC had anything positive to say about Romney at all…Yet I’ll bet they could still spin that 3% to negative somehow…

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Cavallo
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:55pm
Shocked I tell you!!! MSNBC’s exposure and attention would be cut by 90% if places like The Blaze quit reporting on them.

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