Communication Quarterly
Volume 62, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 135-154

News Coverage of Immigration: The Influence of Exposure to Linguistic Bias in the News on Consumer's Racial/Ethnic Cognitions (Article)

Mastro D. , Tukachinsky R.* , Behm-Morawitz E. , Blecha E.
  • a Department of Communication, University of California Santa Barbara, United States
  • b Department of Communication Studies, Chapman University, United States
  • c Department of Communication, University of Missouri-Columbia, United States
  • d Fan Experience and Community Events, Stanford University Athletics, United States

Abstract

This two-study design applies assumptions rooted in frameworks of linguistic intergroup bias to the context of mass media content and effects. First, a content analysis of U.S. newspaper coverage of U.S.-Mexico immigration issues was conducted. The content analysis demonstrated a tendency to characterize undocumented immigrants in abstract and unfavorable language. The opposite was true of language associated with White immigration opponents. Next, an experiment indicated that exposure to abstract news articles resulted in more unfavorable attitudes about Latinos. However, exposure to concrete articles was associated with greater perceived severity of immigration. Both of these effects were moderated by in-group identification. © 2014 Eastern Communication Association.

Author Keywords

Immigration News Content Analysis Linguistic Intergroup Bias Media Effects

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84898442022&doi=10.1080%2f01463373.2014.890115&partnerID=40&md5=5aa6fc1e95a34b4bb3f166a5c090a232
DOI: 10.1080/01463373.2014.890115
ISSN: 01463373
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English