Media Framing and Partisan Identity: The Case of Immigration Coverage and White Macropartisanship

Abstract Laboratory studies frequently find that framing changes individual issue positions. But few real-world studies have demonstrated framing induced shifts in aggregate political opinions, let alone political identities. One explanation for these divergent findings is that the competitive natur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of race, ethnicity, and politics ethnicity, and politics, 2017-03, Vol.2 (1), p.5-34
Main Authors:	Abrajano, Marisa A., Hajnal, Zoltan, Hassell, Hans J. G.
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Balance of power Experiments Identity Immigration Laboratories Mass media Media coverage Noncitizens Partisanship Political attitudes Political parties Political power Political science Race relations Social psychology
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Abstract Laboratory studies frequently find that framing changes individual issue positions. But few real-world studies have demonstrated framing induced shifts in aggregate political opinions, let alone political identities. One explanation for these divergent findings is that the competitive nature of most real-world political debates presents multiple frames that cancel each other out. We assess this proposition and the extent of real-world framing by focusing on the issue of immigration, which has been framed in largely negative terms by the media. Specifically, we assess the connection between New York Times coverage of immigration and aggregate white partisanship over the last three decades. We find that negative framing on immigration is associated with shifts toward the Republican Party—the Party linked with anti-immigrant positions. This suggests that under the right circumstances, framing can alter core political predispositions and shape the partisan balance of power.
ISSN:	2056-6085 2056-6085