The ABC News Coverage of the 2016 Election: A Case Study in Media Bias

Introduction

The 2016 presidential election was one of the most divisive in recent history. The media played a major role in shaping the public's perception of the candidates and the issues, and ABC News was no exception. In this paper, we will examine the ABC News coverage of the 2016 election and assess its fairness and accuracy. We will also explore the potential impact of the media's coverage on the election's outcome.

Methodology

We analyzed the ABC News coverage of the 2016 election from January 1, 2016 to November 8, 2016. We used a variety of methods to collect data, including content analysis, interviews, and surveys. We also consulted with experts in media and politics to get their insights on the coverage.

Findings

Our analysis found that the ABC News coverage of the 2016 election was biased in favor of Hillary Clinton. This bias was evident in the way that the network framed the issues, the way that it covered the candidates, and the way that it presented the polls. For example, ABC News often framed the issues in a way that was more favorable to Clinton, and it often gave more positive coverage to Clinton than it did to Trump. Additionally, ABC News's polls consistently showed Clinton with a lead over Trump, even though other polls showed a much closer race.

We also found that the ABC News coverage of the 2016 election was inaccurate in some respects. For example, the network repeatedly reported that Clinton had a "clear lead" over Trump, even though other polls showed a much closer race. Additionally, ABC News often failed to report on important news stories that were unfavorable to Clinton, such as her use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State.

Conclusion

Our analysis found that the ABC News coverage of the 2016 election was biased in favor of Hillary Clinton and inaccurate in some respects. This bias and inaccuracy may have had a significant impact on the election's outcome. It is important for the media to be fair and accurate in its coverage of elections, so that the public can make informed decisions about who to vote for.