Identifier
etd-09242009-081657
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Mass Communication
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
This study analyzed the personal and professional networks of four local television reporters using social network analysis methodology. Network analysis was carried out to the tertiary level allowing examination of demographic data for 773 individuals in the reporter networks. Analysis was conducted through the lens of media norms and routines and the sociological principle of homophily that states people are more likely to associate with people like themselves. Using as a guide, norms and routines and homophily literature as well as studies about the portrayal of minorities, the study examines how the social networks of reporters can determine how communities of color will be covered by the media. The findings show that minority reporters who have lived in the community for an extended period of time are more likely to have the social networks that will lead to meaningful and substantive coverage of minority communities.
Date
2009
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Honore, Lisa R., "An analysis of the social networks of local television reporters" (2009). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 3635.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/3635
Committee Chair
Kurpius, David D.
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.3635