The 2020 US Presidential Election was one of the most significant events in recent history, capturing the attention of people worldwide. Throughout the campaign, the media played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion by employing the Agenda Setting Theory. Devised by Donald Shaw and Maxwell McCoombs, this theory suggests that media outlets have the power to influence which topics are considered important by the public.
In this blog, we explore ten real examples, with five each favouring the two major candidates, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, to demonstrate how media narratives influenced the election’s discourse.
Examples Favouring Donald Trump
Hunter Biden’s Laptop Controversy: In October 2020, The New York Post published a series of articles alleging corruption related to Hunter Biden’s laptop. The story suggested connections between Joe Biden, his son Hunter, and Ukrainian officials. Conservative media outlets, such as Fox News, amplified this narrative, potentially influencing public perceptions of Biden’s character and ethics.
Source: The New York Post
Trump’s COVID-19 Response: During the US Presidential Election, conservative media, including Breitbart and One America News Network (OANN), focused on highlighting President Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. They further emphasised his efforts to reopen the economy and downplayed criticisms to project an image of strong leadership.
Source: Breitbart | OANN
Accusations of Election Fraud: Right-leaning media, including Newsmax and The Gateway Pundit, emphasised allegations of voter fraud and also irregularities after the election results. They provided platforms for claims that the election was “stolen,” influencing a significant portion of Trump’s supporters.
Source: Newsmax | The Gateway Pundit
Favourable Economic Reporting: Conservative media outlets praised Trump’s pre-pandemic economic policies, touting the stock market’s success and low unemployment rates. These reports then sought to portray Trump as an effective steward of the economy.
Source: Fox Business | The Washington Times
Strong on Law & Order: Right-wing media highlighted Trump’s “law and order” stance. This was especially true during the civil unrest following the killing of George Floyd. Outlets like The Daily Caller and The American Conservative portrayed Trump as the candidate who would restore order and protect communities.
Source: The Daily Caller | The American Conservative
Examples Favouring Joe Biden
COVID-19 & Trump’s Response: Media outlets such as CNN and MSNBC heavily focused on criticising Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. They cited his alleged mismanagement and downplaying his achievements.
Source: CNN | MSNBC
Allegations of Trump’s Racism: Throughout the US Presidential Election campaign, liberal media outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian highlighted allegations of racism against Trump. This included Trump’s responses to incidents such as Charlottesville, to paint a negative image of the incumbent.
Source: The New York Times | The Guardian
Promoting Biden’s Character: Progressive media, such as HuffPost and Mother Jones, sought to portray Joe Biden as a compassionate leader. Also that Biden focused on unity and empathy, emphasising his personal stories and political experience.
Source: HuffPost | Mother Jones
The Trump Tax Returns: The release of Trump’s tax returns became a major news event. Liberal media outlets like Politico and NBC News emphasising alleged financial irregularities and possible conflicts of interest. This then influenced public perception of Trump’s financial integrity.
Source: Politico | NBC News
Climate Change & Green Policies: Left-leaning media outlets, such as Vox and The Nation, covered Biden’s climate change policies extensively. They promoted his commitment to environmental issues and contrasting it with Trump’s deregulatory approach.
Source: Vox | The Nation
Conclusion
The 2020 US Presidential Election showcased the power of the media in shaping public opinion through the application of the agenda setting theory. By analysing real examples, we see how media outlets favoured both candidates, influencing the election’s narratives and viewpoints. Understanding the role of the media in such critical events helps us become more discerning consumers of information. Thus, encourages us to seek diverse perspectives to form well-rounded opinions.