Balance of Editorial Commentary in Four Florida Newspapers during the 1984 Presidential Campaign

Abstract

Do editorial sections publish a positive ratio of favorable to unfavorable commentary about endorsed candidates and a negative ratio of favorable to unfavorable commentary about unendorsed candidates? A content analysis of the editorial sections of the Miami Herald, St. Petersburg Times, Orlando Sentinel and Tampa Tribune revealed mixed support for the hypothesis. The findings suggest editorial sections in some newspapers may be more internally balanced in their political commentary than previously believed.