Just how slanted is your local paper?

[Ian David]

Just how slanted is your local paper?

A University of Chicago study has used scientific calculation to determine which U.S. newspapers are most slanted, toward either liberal or conservative ideology.

The researchers looked at the language used in the papers to see whether it was more similar to a congressional Democrat or Republican. The study includes a list of the phrases used most often by both sides of the aisle. (Phrases employed more often by Democrats include "nuclear option," "civil rights" and "low income." Republicans favor "death tax," "human life," and "Terri Schiavo.")

The study found that more conservative papers tend to be located in Republican-heavy zip codes. Consumers actually play a larger role than owners do in determining a papers' "slant" or "ideological positioning," the authors said.

Despite what some readers may think, the Chronicle falls fairly low on the author's slant index (the Tri-Valley Herald is actually the lowest). The Washington Times, Houston Chronicle and Salt Lake City Deseret News top the slant-o-meter, and the Los Angeles Times, New York Times and Washington Post fall pretty sqaurely in the middle.

Check out the "slant index" to find your local paper of page 53 of the study.

Posted By: Marisa Lagos (Email) | October 20 2006 at 01:28 AM
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nwzchik/detail?blogid=32&entry_id=10068

[BOSSHOG]

1. I'm pretty happy with the output of the two papers I read daily

- Gulport Mississippi Sun-Herald
- Time-Picayune of New Orleans

Both are loaded with both left leaning and right leaning columnists and the space is fairly equally divided and both papers print Letters to the Editor from the far right to the far left and everything in between. I'd put the T-P in the outstanding category for all the features and stuff they have.

I do pick up a small local paper on Sunday's to find out what's going on near us (garage sales, catfish dinners etc.) If you are not advocating that Galeileo be dug from his grave and hanged, your letter won't be printed. They tend to believe reagan was a flaming hollywood liberal.

[cboy4]

5. My paper's (Sacramento Bee) editorial page leans left, however

I was deeply disappointed it endorsed Schwarzenegger, and the incumbent (R) Calif. Secretary of State.

I knew Ahnold would win, but I was happy the secretary ended up losing.

Edit...Ooooops, posted in wrong spot. Sorry BOSSHOG.

[BOSSHOG]

6. Always great to hear from you Cboy4

[cboy4]

7. Awwww, thanks BOSS

And you as well. :pals:

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Most useful link of the day

Thanks!

[AnnInLa]

3. Interesting....thanks for the post

mine is so RW that I refuse to subscribe....it is a Gannet paper, and there is a guy who does a Sunday column, Robert Walters...he is the most bigoted, racist, female hating, jew hating, lib hater! Complaints to the local paper office do no good, they just claim they have no choice but to carry his column. oh well

[porphyrian]

4. Cool, the Tallahassee Democrat looks like the most middle.

There are some good people who work there, if they still work there, even if the bosses suck as much as possible.