Frederick Fico
Biographic Data
| ID | 4907747 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Frederick Fico |
| GIVEN NAMES | Frederick |
| FAMILY NAME | Fico |
| SIGNATURE | FICO F |
| AFFILIATIONS | Michigan State University |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 21 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 194 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 21 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1981 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2019 |
| H-INDEX | 8 |
Analyzing Media Messages: Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research
Analyzing Media Messages, Fourth Edition provides a comprehensive guide to conducting content analysis research. It establishes a formal definition of quantitative content analysis; gives step-by-step instructions on designing a content analysis study; and explores in depth several recurring questions that arise in such areas as measurement, sampling, reliability, data analysis, and the use of digital technology in the content analysis process. T…
Climate Change Reporting in Great Lakes Region Newspapers: A Comparative Study of the Use of Expert Sources
This study focuses on the use of science sources as experts in news stories about climate change coverage in the Great Lakes region of the US and Canada. We examine, using the hierarchy of influences model, whether the use of scientific sources in climate change coverage may be related to factors such as geographic location, reporting frequency, and authorship, in the prestige press as well as regional and local media. The study found that as man…
More of the Same: Influences on source use and source affiliation diversity in for-profit and nonprofit news organizational content
Sources are an indicator of news quality. They cue readers to the extent that journalists are invested in reporting a topic. Moreover, a diversity of sources may help readers reach more informed decisions. This study investigates the amount and diversity of sources nonprofit and for-profit news organizations use and what factors affect sourcing behaviors. Results indicate that nonprofit organizations use more, but not more diverse sources. In add…
The Measurement of Journalistic Role Enactments: A Study of Organizational Constraints and Support in For-Profit and Nonprofit Journalism
Media scholars have primarily assessed journalistic role perceptions through the survey method. We propose conceptual and operational definitions for four role enactments observable through content analysis: dissemination, interpretative, adversarial, and mobilization. We also examined how journalistic role enactments in stories related to organization type (nonprofit and for-profit) and reporter workload. Results show that nonprofit journalists …
Analyzing Media Messages: Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research
Analyzing Media Messages is a primer for learning the technique of systematic, quantitative analysis of communication content. Rich with examples of recent and classic applications, it provides solutions to problems encountered in conducting content analysis, and it is written so that students can readily understand and apply the techniques. This thoroughly revised third edition includes current and engaging examples for today's students, in addi…
Differences in the Way Broadcast, Cable and Public TV Reporters Used Women and Non-White Sources to Cover the 2008 Presidential Race
TV evening news coverage of the 2008 presidential election by broadcast, cable, and public networks was predominately male and Caucasian in terms of reporters and sources. However, according to our content analysis of 888 campaign stories, viewers saw the least amount of source diversity if they watched the evening news on broadcast networks ABC, CBS, and NBC. Cable networks FOX and CNN, and the PBS evening news had more female and non-White sour…
Broadcast and Cable News Network Differences in the Way Reporters Used Women and Minority Group Sources to Cover the 2004 Presidential Race
Our content analysis of 2,075 campaign stories aired by 3 broadcast and 3 cable networks during the 2004 presidential campaign revealed that female and non-White reporters at broadcast networks were generally more aggressive in their source use when compared to their male and White colleagues, using a greater number of sources and in most cases also allotting the sources more time. Female and non-White reporters at cable networks also tended, alt…
Context and Sources in Broadcast Television Coverage of the 2004 Democratic Primary
This study examined context variables (reporter speculation, multiple viewpoints, and story emphasis) and source variables (anonymous sources and source transparency) in broadcast television coverage of the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries. Primary coverage was compared with coverage of other major stories. Primary coverage was no more focused on conflict than were other major stories. Primary coverage was, however, more focused on winners …
Broadcast and Cable Network News Coverage of the 2004 Presidential Election: An Assessment of Partisan and Structural Imbalance
Broadcast and cable network evening news shows gave more prominence, time, and attention to Democrat John Kerry than to President George Bush in their 2004 presidential election coverage. Broadcast networks were more balanced in their aggregate attention to the candidates than were the cable networks. Individual broadcast network stories and segments were also more balanced than were individual cable network stories and segments, regardless of th…
Race and Gender: An Analysis of the Sources and Reporters in Local Television Coverage of the 2002 Michigan Gubernatorial Campaign
This study examined how race and gender of reporters and community diversity influenced use of women and minority sources in local television coverage of the 2002 governor's race in Michigan. Content analysis of campaign stories broadcasted by four local television stations revealed that women reporters were more likely than their male colleagues to use women and nonpartisan sources such as experts and ordinary citizens. But minority journalists …
Male and Female Sources in Newspaper Coverage of Male and Female Candidates in US Senate Races in 2004
This study assesses how the largest daily newspapers in states with female US Senate candidates in 2004 used non-partisan male and female expert and non-expert sources in covering campaigns. Using content analysis, it found that male, non-partisan sources appeared more frequently and prominently than did female sources. That difference was more than four times greater for expert sources who provided "horse race" or "issue" commentary than for non…
Male and Female Sources in Newspaper Coverage of Male and Female Candidates in Open Races for Governor in 2002
This study assessed how capital city newspapers used male and female experts and nonexpert, uncommitted sources in covering open races for governorships in 2002. It examined 4 states with a female nominee and 5 states where both major candidates were male. Regardless of the candidates' gender, the overwhelming majority of nonpartisan sources cited were male. Female nonexpert sources appeared far less than their proportion in the population. The s…
Race and Gender: An Analysis of Sources and Reporters in the Networks' Coverage of the 2000 Presidential Campaign
Our content analysis of 333 campaign stories broadcast by ABC, CBS, and NBC during the 2000 presidential campaign found that reporting staff diversity, specifically the presence of women and minority reporters, was related to more diverse source usage. Stories by women and minority reporters were more likely to use and give time to women and minority noncandidate sources than did stories by male and White reporters. Women and minority reporters a…
Influence of Story Structure on Perceived Story Bias and News Organization Credibility
An experiment was conducted to illuminate the effects of balanced and imbalanced conflict story structure on perceived story bias and news organization credibility. Participants read mock newspaper stories on capital punishment, flat income tax rate, and drinking age that were systematically manipulated to be balanced or imbalanced. Imbalanced stories favored either the pro or the con side on each issue. Participants were randomly assigned to rea…
Partisan and Structural Balance of Election Stories on the 1998 Governor's Race in Michigan
The partisan and structural balance of newspaper stories covering the 1998 governor's race in Michigan was assessed and compared to the newspaper coverage of 3 earlier elections. The 1998 election coverage favored the Democratic challenger in terms of space and prominence given his campaign's assertions. An issue analysis, however, suggests that the Republican incumbent was able to frame the substantive issue agenda, while the Democratic challeng…
News Stories about Conflict Generally Balanced
This content analysis of 615 local conflict stories in 15 mid-sized newspapers shows that news stories about conflict, although generally fair, had some unbalance in terms of space and prominence
Fairness and Balance in the Structural Characteristics of Newspaper Stories on the 1996 Presidential Election
This content study of how Michigan's nine largest daily newspapers covered the 1996 presidential campaign focuses on structural characteristics of news stories that may influence readers to judge reporting as fair or biased. Specifically, the study examines institutional and newsroom influences on such characteristics. Results indicated that stories were significantly imbalanced structurally. Regardless of the candidate a reader might have suppor…
Influences on Use of Sources at Large U.S. Newspapers
Journalists' own orientations are a major determinant in choice of sources, but pressures from within their organization and their professional background also are substantial influences
The Link between Newspaper Content Quality & Circulation
Although quality — like beauty — may be in the eye of the beholder, there seems to be a strong link between a newspaper's content quality and Us circulation. Papers that cut quality as a short-run cost-saving device may end up paying in future circulation
Fairness and Balance in the Prestige Press
A comparison of nine prestige newspapers, such as the New York Times and Washington Post, and a sample of large circulation, but less prestigious, newspapers finds prestige newspapers are more likely to cover both sides of community controversy, with better balanced news. Newspapers demonstrating best balance were the Times, Post, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Findings are presented in the context of the social responsibility theory of the press
Reporting Crime and Fearing Crime in Three Communities
Walter B. Jaehnig, David H. Weaver, Frederick Fico; Reporting Crime and Fearing Crime in Three Communities, Journal of Communication, Volume 31, Issue 1, 1
Influences on Use of Sources at Large U.S. Newspapers
Journalists' own orientations are a major determinant in choice of sources, but pressures from within their organization and their professional background also are substantial influences
Influence of Story Structure on Perceived Story Bias and News Organization Credibility
An experiment was conducted to illuminate the effects of balanced and imbalanced conflict story structure on perceived story bias and news organization credibility. Participants read mock newspaper stories on capital punishment, flat income tax rate, and drinking age that were systematically manipulated to be balanced or imbalanced. Imbalanced stories favored either the pro or the con side on each issue. Participants were randomly assigned to rea…
The Measurement of Journalistic Role Enactments: A Study of Organizational Constraints and Support in For-Profit and Nonprofit Journalism
Media scholars have primarily assessed journalistic role perceptions through the survey method. We propose conceptual and operational definitions for four role enactments observable through content analysis: dissemination, interpretative, adversarial, and mobilization. We also examined how journalistic role enactments in stories related to organization type (nonprofit and for-profit) and reporter workload. Results show that nonprofit journalists …
Male and Female Sources in Newspaper Coverage of Male and Female Candidates in Open Races for Governor in 2002
This study assessed how capital city newspapers used male and female experts and nonexpert, uncommitted sources in covering open races for governorships in 2002. It examined 4 states with a female nominee and 5 states where both major candidates were male. Regardless of the candidates' gender, the overwhelming majority of nonpartisan sources cited were male. Female nonexpert sources appeared far less than their proportion in the population. The s…
Race and Gender: An Analysis of Sources and Reporters in the Networks' Coverage of the 2000 Presidential Campaign
Our content analysis of 333 campaign stories broadcast by ABC, CBS, and NBC during the 2000 presidential campaign found that reporting staff diversity, specifically the presence of women and minority reporters, was related to more diverse source usage. Stories by women and minority reporters were more likely to use and give time to women and minority noncandidate sources than did stories by male and White reporters. Women and minority reporters a…
The Link between Newspaper Content Quality & Circulation
Although quality — like beauty — may be in the eye of the beholder, there seems to be a strong link between a newspaper's content quality and Us circulation. Papers that cut quality as a short-run cost-saving device may end up paying in future circulation
Fairness and Balance in the Prestige Press
A comparison of nine prestige newspapers, such as the New York Times and Washington Post, and a sample of large circulation, but less prestigious, newspapers finds prestige newspapers are more likely to cover both sides of community controversy, with better balanced news. Newspapers demonstrating best balance were the Times, Post, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Findings are presented in the context of the social responsibility theory of the press
Male and Female Sources in Newspaper Coverage of Male and Female Candidates in US Senate Races in 2004
This study assesses how the largest daily newspapers in states with female US Senate candidates in 2004 used non-partisan male and female expert and non-expert sources in covering campaigns. Using content analysis, it found that male, non-partisan sources appeared more frequently and prominently than did female sources. That difference was more than four times greater for expert sources who provided "horse race" or "issue" commentary than for non…
Differences in the Way Broadcast, Cable and Public TV Reporters Used Women and Non-White Sources to Cover the 2008 Presidential Race
TV evening news coverage of the 2008 presidential election by broadcast, cable, and public networks was predominately male and Caucasian in terms of reporters and sources. However, according to our content analysis of 888 campaign stories, viewers saw the least amount of source diversity if they watched the evening news on broadcast networks ABC, CBS, and NBC. Cable networks FOX and CNN, and the PBS evening news had more female and non-White sour…
Broadcast and Cable News Network Differences in the Way Reporters Used Women and Minority Group Sources to Cover the 2004 Presidential Race
Our content analysis of 2,075 campaign stories aired by 3 broadcast and 3 cable networks during the 2004 presidential campaign revealed that female and non-White reporters at broadcast networks were generally more aggressive in their source use when compared to their male and White colleagues, using a greater number of sources and in most cases also allotting the sources more time. Female and non-White reporters at cable networks also tended, alt…
Broadcast and Cable Network News Coverage of the 2004 Presidential Election: An Assessment of Partisan and Structural Imbalance
Broadcast and cable network evening news shows gave more prominence, time, and attention to Democrat John Kerry than to President George Bush in their 2004 presidential election coverage. Broadcast networks were more balanced in their aggregate attention to the candidates than were the cable networks. Individual broadcast network stories and segments were also more balanced than were individual cable network stories and segments, regardless of th…
Race and Gender: An Analysis of the Sources and Reporters in Local Television Coverage of the 2002 Michigan Gubernatorial Campaign
This study examined how race and gender of reporters and community diversity influenced use of women and minority sources in local television coverage of the 2002 governor's race in Michigan. Content analysis of campaign stories broadcasted by four local television stations revealed that women reporters were more likely than their male colleagues to use women and nonpartisan sources such as experts and ordinary citizens. But minority journalists …
News Stories about Conflict Generally Balanced
This content analysis of 615 local conflict stories in 15 mid-sized newspapers shows that news stories about conflict, although generally fair, had some unbalance in terms of space and prominence
Fairness and Balance in the Structural Characteristics of Newspaper Stories on the 1996 Presidential Election
This content study of how Michigan's nine largest daily newspapers covered the 1996 presidential campaign focuses on structural characteristics of news stories that may influence readers to judge reporting as fair or biased. Specifically, the study examines institutional and newsroom influences on such characteristics. Results indicated that stories were significantly imbalanced structurally. Regardless of the candidate a reader might have suppor…
More of the Same: Influences on source use and source affiliation diversity in for-profit and nonprofit news organizational content
Sources are an indicator of news quality. They cue readers to the extent that journalists are invested in reporting a topic. Moreover, a diversity of sources may help readers reach more informed decisions. This study investigates the amount and diversity of sources nonprofit and for-profit news organizations use and what factors affect sourcing behaviors. Results indicate that nonprofit organizations use more, but not more diverse sources. In add…
Context and Sources in Broadcast Television Coverage of the 2004 Democratic Primary
This study examined context variables (reporter speculation, multiple viewpoints, and story emphasis) and source variables (anonymous sources and source transparency) in broadcast television coverage of the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries. Primary coverage was compared with coverage of other major stories. Primary coverage was no more focused on conflict than were other major stories. Primary coverage was, however, more focused on winners …
Partisan and Structural Balance of Election Stories on the 1998 Governor's Race in Michigan
The partisan and structural balance of newspaper stories covering the 1998 governor's race in Michigan was assessed and compared to the newspaper coverage of 3 earlier elections. The 1998 election coverage favored the Democratic challenger in terms of space and prominence given his campaign's assertions. An issue analysis, however, suggests that the Republican incumbent was able to frame the substantive issue agenda, while the Democratic challeng…
Reporting Crime and Fearing Crime in Three Communities
Walter B. Jaehnig, David H. Weaver, Frederick Fico; Reporting Crime and Fearing Crime in Three Communities, Journal of Communication, Volume 31, Issue 1, 1
The Link between Newspaper Content Quality & Circulation
Although quality — like beauty — may be in the eye of the beholder, there seems to be a strong link between a newspaper's content quality and Us circulation. Papers that cut quality as a short-run cost-saving device may end up paying in future circulation
Fairness and Balance in the Prestige Press
A comparison of nine prestige newspapers, such as the New York Times and Washington Post, and a sample of large circulation, but less prestigious, newspapers finds prestige newspapers are more likely to cover both sides of community controversy, with better balanced news. Newspapers demonstrating best balance were the Times, Post, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Findings are presented in the context of the social responsibility theory of the press
Influences on Use of Sources at Large U.S. Newspapers
Journalists' own orientations are a major determinant in choice of sources, but pressures from within their organization and their professional background also are substantial influences
Fairness and Balance in the Structural Characteristics of Newspaper Stories on the 1996 Presidential Election
This content study of how Michigan's nine largest daily newspapers covered the 1996 presidential campaign focuses on structural characteristics of news stories that may influence readers to judge reporting as fair or biased. Specifically, the study examines institutional and newsroom influences on such characteristics. Results indicated that stories were significantly imbalanced structurally. Regardless of the candidate a reader might have suppor…
News Stories about Conflict Generally Balanced
This content analysis of 615 local conflict stories in 15 mid-sized newspapers shows that news stories about conflict, although generally fair, had some unbalance in terms of space and prominence
Partisan and Structural Balance of Election Stories on the 1998 Governor's Race in Michigan
The partisan and structural balance of newspaper stories covering the 1998 governor's race in Michigan was assessed and compared to the newspaper coverage of 3 earlier elections. The 1998 election coverage favored the Democratic challenger in terms of space and prominence given his campaign's assertions. An issue analysis, however, suggests that the Republican incumbent was able to frame the substantive issue agenda, while the Democratic challeng…
Influence of Story Structure on Perceived Story Bias and News Organization Credibility
An experiment was conducted to illuminate the effects of balanced and imbalanced conflict story structure on perceived story bias and news organization credibility. Participants read mock newspaper stories on capital punishment, flat income tax rate, and drinking age that were systematically manipulated to be balanced or imbalanced. Imbalanced stories favored either the pro or the con side on each issue. Participants were randomly assigned to rea…
Male and Female Sources in Newspaper Coverage of Male and Female Candidates in Open Races for Governor in 2002
This study assessed how capital city newspapers used male and female experts and nonexpert, uncommitted sources in covering open races for governorships in 2002. It examined 4 states with a female nominee and 5 states where both major candidates were male. Regardless of the candidates' gender, the overwhelming majority of nonpartisan sources cited were male. Female nonexpert sources appeared far less than their proportion in the population. The s…
Race and Gender: An Analysis of Sources and Reporters in the Networks' Coverage of the 2000 Presidential Campaign
Our content analysis of 333 campaign stories broadcast by ABC, CBS, and NBC during the 2000 presidential campaign found that reporting staff diversity, specifically the presence of women and minority reporters, was related to more diverse source usage. Stories by women and minority reporters were more likely to use and give time to women and minority noncandidate sources than did stories by male and White reporters. Women and minority reporters a…
Race and Gender: An Analysis of the Sources and Reporters in Local Television Coverage of the 2002 Michigan Gubernatorial Campaign
This study examined how race and gender of reporters and community diversity influenced use of women and minority sources in local television coverage of the 2002 governor's race in Michigan. Content analysis of campaign stories broadcasted by four local television stations revealed that women reporters were more likely than their male colleagues to use women and nonpartisan sources such as experts and ordinary citizens. But minority journalists …
Male and Female Sources in Newspaper Coverage of Male and Female Candidates in US Senate Races in 2004
This study assesses how the largest daily newspapers in states with female US Senate candidates in 2004 used non-partisan male and female expert and non-expert sources in covering campaigns. Using content analysis, it found that male, non-partisan sources appeared more frequently and prominently than did female sources. That difference was more than four times greater for expert sources who provided "horse race" or "issue" commentary than for non…
Context and Sources in Broadcast Television Coverage of the 2004 Democratic Primary
This study examined context variables (reporter speculation, multiple viewpoints, and story emphasis) and source variables (anonymous sources and source transparency) in broadcast television coverage of the 2004 Democratic presidential primaries. Primary coverage was compared with coverage of other major stories. Primary coverage was no more focused on conflict than were other major stories. Primary coverage was, however, more focused on winners …
Broadcast and Cable Network News Coverage of the 2004 Presidential Election: An Assessment of Partisan and Structural Imbalance
Broadcast and cable network evening news shows gave more prominence, time, and attention to Democrat John Kerry than to President George Bush in their 2004 presidential election coverage. Broadcast networks were more balanced in their aggregate attention to the candidates than were the cable networks. Individual broadcast network stories and segments were also more balanced than were individual cable network stories and segments, regardless of th…
Broadcast and Cable News Network Differences in the Way Reporters Used Women and Minority Group Sources to Cover the 2004 Presidential Race
Our content analysis of 2,075 campaign stories aired by 3 broadcast and 3 cable networks during the 2004 presidential campaign revealed that female and non-White reporters at broadcast networks were generally more aggressive in their source use when compared to their male and White colleagues, using a greater number of sources and in most cases also allotting the sources more time. Female and non-White reporters at cable networks also tended, alt…
Differences in the Way Broadcast, Cable and Public TV Reporters Used Women and Non-White Sources to Cover the 2008 Presidential Race
TV evening news coverage of the 2008 presidential election by broadcast, cable, and public networks was predominately male and Caucasian in terms of reporters and sources. However, according to our content analysis of 888 campaign stories, viewers saw the least amount of source diversity if they watched the evening news on broadcast networks ABC, CBS, and NBC. Cable networks FOX and CNN, and the PBS evening news had more female and non-White sour…
Analyzing Media Messages: Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research
Analyzing Media Messages is a primer for learning the technique of systematic, quantitative analysis of communication content. Rich with examples of recent and classic applications, it provides solutions to problems encountered in conducting content analysis, and it is written so that students can readily understand and apply the techniques. This thoroughly revised third edition includes current and engaging examples for today's students, in addi…
The Measurement of Journalistic Role Enactments: A Study of Organizational Constraints and Support in For-Profit and Nonprofit Journalism
Media scholars have primarily assessed journalistic role perceptions through the survey method. We propose conceptual and operational definitions for four role enactments observable through content analysis: dissemination, interpretative, adversarial, and mobilization. We also examined how journalistic role enactments in stories related to organization type (nonprofit and for-profit) and reporter workload. Results show that nonprofit journalists …
Climate Change Reporting in Great Lakes Region Newspapers: A Comparative Study of the Use of Expert Sources
This study focuses on the use of science sources as experts in news stories about climate change coverage in the Great Lakes region of the US and Canada. We examine, using the hierarchy of influences model, whether the use of scientific sources in climate change coverage may be related to factors such as geographic location, reporting frequency, and authorship, in the prestige press as well as regional and local media. The study found that as man…
More of the Same: Influences on source use and source affiliation diversity in for-profit and nonprofit news organizational content
Sources are an indicator of news quality. They cue readers to the extent that journalists are invested in reporting a topic. Moreover, a diversity of sources may help readers reach more informed decisions. This study investigates the amount and diversity of sources nonprofit and for-profit news organizations use and what factors affect sourcing behaviors. Results indicate that nonprofit organizations use more, but not more diverse sources. In add…
Analyzing Media Messages: Using Quantitative Content Analysis in Research
Analyzing Media Messages, Fourth Edition provides a comprehensive guide to conducting content analysis research. It establishes a formal definition of quantitative content analysis; gives step-by-step instructions on designing a content analysis study; and explores in depth several recurring questions that arise in such areas as measurement, sampling, reliability, data analysis, and the use of digital technology in the content analysis process. T…
Media Studies and Communication (20 works) · Political science (17 works) · Sociology (14 works) · Law (13 works) · Social Media and Politics (13 works) · Business (12 works) · Advertising (11 works) · Law (10 works) · Newspaper (10 works) · Psychology (8 works)