Abstract
In this article, we analyse how various macro- and meso-level factors influence news media’s provision of hard news, an important element of media quality. The research draws on a content analysis of more than 100,000 news items between 2015 and 2019 from 53 print, radio, TV, and online news outlets in Switzerland, a small state with three linguistically segmented media markets, each of which is partially influenced by a large neighbouring country (Germany, France, and Italy). The research design takes into account the multi-dimensional character of hard news and allows for analysis with explanatory factors on different levels: On the meso-level, ownership types complemented with media types, and on the macro-level language regions of different market size. Findings show large differences in the importance of hard news overall and these findings are consistent across the three dimensions of hard news (topic dimension, focus dimension, style dimension). Hard news orientation differs especially between private and public media, but also within privately held media outlets, and less so within public media, which points to a general quality culture embedded within public media organizations. Thus, rather than by language region and the according media market size or by ownership types, quality differences can be best explained by media types.
Highlights
Amid the ongoing transformation in the media sector, a major concern is that economic constraints and the increasing competition for audience share will reduce the quality of news, leading to a ‘tabloidization’ or ‘softening’ of news (Magin & Stark, 2015)
Based on a multi-dimensional operationalization of hard news (Reinemann et al, 2012), a central indicator of the overall quality of media, our study of 53 news outlets in Switzerland has revealed that hard news orientation crucially differs among individual outlets and especially among types of media
Public service media were found to substantially offer more hard news compared to other ownership forms, supporting previous research (e.g., Reinemann et al, 2017)
Summary
Amid the ongoing transformation in the media sector, a major concern is that economic constraints and the increasing competition for audience share will reduce the quality of news, leading to a ‘tabloidization’ or ‘softening’ of news (Magin & Stark, 2015). In current media policy debates, there is a growing consensus that the media increasingly lack the resources to produce high-quality journalism and should, be financially supported. This implies that financial support should only be made if media companies invest in the quality of reporting. While the ownership form of public service media already includes legal obligations to invest in quality journalism, private media companies, especially those needing to satisfy shareholders, are more likely to save costs and reduce quality. Quality differences among media outlets on the supply side can go hand in hand with or even aggravate
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