Gender, Politics, and The Media: An Analysis of Media Coverage During The 2008 Democratic Presidential Nomination

This thesis examines media coverage of female politicians. Through conducting background research, a personal interview with a nationally acclaimed political strategist, and a content analysis of 640 online articles published by The New York Times, the thesis presents a thorough review of media coverage. Results revealed that the media did not provide a consistent standard of coverage between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama during the 2008 Democratic Presidential Nomination. The New York Times depicted Obama in a more favorable light than Hillary Clinton. Additionally, Clinton was significantly more likely to be described in terms of her family life, physical appearance and clothing than Obama. The content analysis confirmed the findings established in the background research and interview. The inconsistency in coverage of male and female politicians is a pivotal issue that should be addressed by the media