News/Commentary

Media bias for Harris vs. Trump coverage is captured in one unforgettable photo

August 20, 2024 | | Print Article

A damning new study confirms what Americans already seem to believe about a biased media cheerleading for Democrats.

The mainstream media and its leftist bent have delivered “an unprecedented boost of positive publicity” for Vice President Kamala Harris since she swallowed up the re-election dreams of President Joe Biden, according to the Media Research Center.

In a study of network news and coverage of Harris versus that of former President Donald Trump, the conservative watchdog concluded that the Democrat nominee has enjoyed more positive coverage on CBS, NBC, and ABC while most of Trump’s coverage has been negative.

“Not only has Harris received 66% more airtime than former President Donald Trump, but the spin of Harris’s coverage has been more positive (84%) than any other major party nominee, even as Trump’s coverage has been nearly entirely hostile (89% negative),” author Rich Noyes wrote in the report.

“Add it all up, and the networks have granted the combined Democratic ticket of Harris-Walz 82% positive press, while Trump-Vance have faced 90% negative coverage,” the report noted.

The study was based on analyzing campaign coverage in evening newscasts on ABC, CBS, and NBC from the day Biden ended his race on July 21, through August 17. Not only was Harris gifted with 66% more airtime than Trump, but she was also given an “astonishing 84% positive spin score, an unprecedented level of good press,” Noyes noted.

“While the networks showered Harris with good press, their coverage of former President Trump was as hostile as ever,” he wrote.

“Given the networks’ idolatrous coverage of the past four weeks, it is conceivable Harris’s 2024 coverage could wind up even more positive than Obama’s was sixteen years ago,” the report indicated.

During the study period, it was also found that Harris’s left-wing stand on many policy issues was “completely ignored” as she was showered with positive press.

“ABC’s correspondents and anchors never once thought to identify Harris as a liberal; the only mention of Harris’s ideology on that network came from occasional soundbites from Trump and other Republicans, describing the Vice President as a “radical left lunatic,” Noyes wrote.

“The networks spent barely any time on controversies that might have marred Harris’s extraordinary media honeymoon,” he added, pointing to criticisms of Harris knowing about Biden’s condition, not having any media sit-downs, and securing the nomination without a single vote.

“Over the past four weeks, there’s been a tidal wave of positive statements about Harris, generating the impression of massive momentum in favor of the Democrats. Yet a closer look at the data shows the race hasn’t shifted nearly as much as the enthusiastic news coverage would suggest,” the report continued.

“As the Democratic National Convention begins, the Big Three evening newscasts have delivered Kamala Harris the most positive start to a general election campaign of any presidential nominee in recent memory. Not only is she getting the most coverage, she’s also getting by far the most positive press,” Noyes wrote.

“The question is whether the public will be swayed by this extraordinarily lopsided coverage, or will they see this as just more evidence of a partisan news media taking sides,” he added.

A Rasmussen Reports poll showed that likely voters believe the media is biased and will continue to help Harris against Trump.

Frieda Powers
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