Is US media coverage pro-Kamala Harris and anti-Donald Trump?

According to a new study, the three major news networks have largely provided Vice President Kamala Harris with favourable coverage since she emerged as the Democratic nominee.

The study, conducted by the conservative Media Research Center (MRC), found that 84% of the coverage of Harris was positive, in stark contrast to the 89% negative coverage of former president Trump.

The MRC analyzed comments from reporters, anchors, and guests on the evening news programs of NBC News, ABC News, and CBS News starting from July 21.

Harris became the presumptive Democratic nominee after President Biden announced his withdrawal from the race and endorsed her on the same day. She officially secured the nomination in early August but was considered the party's de facto leader since Biden's exit.

The analysis revealed 57 positive comments about Harris across all three networks, compared to just 11 negative remarks.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris's running mate, also received more favorable coverage than his Republican counterpart, Senator JD Vance. According to the study, 62% of Walz's coverage was positive, while Vance received 92% negative coverage.

The report noted that many positive comments about Harris came from enthusiastic voters and supporters. For instance, one Gen Z voter described her as a "powerhouse speaker" on NBC Nightly News on July 23, while another expressed excitement similar to what they felt during Obama's campaign, as reported on CBS Weekend News on August 10.

Despite her progressive voting record in the US Senate, the networks have not frequently labelled Harris as progressive or liberal, according to the MRC report.

The study also highlighted positive reporting on Harris's campaign activities, such as the size of the crowds at her rallies. Between July 21 and August 17, there were 192 positive statements about her large crowds, fundraising success, and polling momentum, compared to just 12 negative statements, resulting in a 94% positive score.

While Harris has been actively campaigning and engaging with voters at various events, she has yet to hold a formal press conference or sit for an in-depth interview since becoming the nominee, which has drawn some scrutiny from the press. In contrast, former president Trump has been more accessible to the media, holding multiple press conferences and interviews, including a lengthy session with Elon Musk.

Harris briefly spoke with reporters at a campaign stop in Pennsylvania on Sunday, where she referred to herself as an "underdog" ahead of the Democratic National Convention, where she is set to become the second woman in US history to accept a major party's nomination, following Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Despite declining a sit-down interview with Time Magazine, which ran a favourable cover story after her nomination, Harris remains a central figure in the campaign as the convention approaches.

Source: Times of India