Date Approved
9-14-2011
Embargo Period
3-3-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. Public Relations
Department
Public Relations/Advertising
College
Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts
Advisor
Fitzgerald, Suzanne
Subject(s)
Arizona Senate--Press coverage; Immigration enforcement--Arizona
Disciplines
Public Relations and Advertising
Abstract
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.
Recommended Citation
Burgess, Rachael, "The effect of media bias on legislation: a case study of Arizona's Senate Bill 1070 on immigration" (2011). Theses and Dissertations. 75.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/75
