Newsmagazine Visuals and the 1988 Presidential Election

Abstract

The Republican presidential and vice presidential candidates edged out the Democratic candidates in photographic coverage in Time, Newsweek, and U.S. News & World Report in this study of 1988 campaign coverage. The study covered the fall campaign and measured 15 attributes of photographs (in addition to the sheer numbers), such as camera angle, whether or not the candidate was smiling or frowning, active or passive, and the manner of dress. The study found evidence that editors attempted to balance coverage between both parties. The Republican edge was not large.