Visual priming and framing of the 2016 GOP and Democratic Party presidential primary debates

Bibliographic Data

ID7512876
AuthorsPatrick A Stewart (0000-0002-6906-8236, corresponding author), Austin D Eubanks (0000-0003-3497-5335), Jason Miller (0000-0002-6912-2925)
Year2019
Volume38
Issue1
Pages14-31
Publication date2019-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolitics and the Life Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0730-9384 • E-ISSN: 1471-5457
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/pls.2018.16
PMID31094672
OpenAlexW2945038639
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited47

In an on-demand media environment, the 2016 presidential primary debates provided a ratings and economic boost to host networks surpassing all prior primary debates and even major sporting events in viewership. In turn, millions of viewers were exposed to and subtly influenced by the ways in which these candidates were visually presented. We analyze how the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates were presented in their initial two debates (Fox News and CNN; CNN and CBS, respectively). Candidates are considered in terms of visual priming through aggregate camera time and average camera fixation time and how contenders were visually framed through the proportion of different camera shot types used (solo, split screen, side by side, multiple candidate, and audience reaction). Findings suggest that while the front-runners from both political parties benefited from preferential visual coverage, Donald Trump stood out in terms of the visual priming and framing that presented him as a serious contender

Audience measurement · Democracy · Framing (construction · Media studies · Political science · Politics · Presidential system · Priming (agriculture · Sociology · History · Law · Media Influence and Health · Media Studies and Communication · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub