The effect of media bias on legislation: a case study of Arizona's Senate Bill 1070 on immigration

In order to understand the relationship between government, media and public opinion in the case of Arizona Senate Bill 1070, Arizona's bill to combat illegal immigration. The purpose of this study was to (a) examine whether the media coverage of Arizona Senate Bill 1070 initiated government action and (b) examine whether the media coverage presented emotional or legal arguments supporting or not supporting the bill. Examining tone, use of emotional and legal arguments, subjectivity and objectivity in two national newspapers and interviewing four communications directors for the state of Arizona, the study showed the existence of media bias and subjectivity, but did not influence government action against the bill.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A. Public Relations

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Public Relations/Advertising

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Burgess, Rachael

Contributors dc:contributor

• Fitzgerald, Suzanne

• Arizona Senate--Press coverage; Immigration enforcement--Arizona
• Public Relations and Advertising

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/75

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1074