Briefly outline Zaller’s theory of news coverage of elections, describing the actors’ goals, the three decision rules, and some of the major propositions derived. Then evaluate Zaller’s evidence for the Rule of Product Substitution and how this plays out in news coverage of elections. Why has news coverage of elections gotten more negative in recent years, according to Zaller and to what degree is the news media responsible?
Briefly outline Zaller’s theory of news coverage of elections, describing the actors’ goals, the three decision rules, and some of the major propositions derived. Then evaluate Zaller’s evidence for the Rule of Product Substitution and how this plays out in news coverage of elections. Why has news coverage of elections gotten more negative in recent years, according to Zaller and to what degree is the news media responsible?


