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Abstract

Much research has been done on the culture and politics of print and broadcast news media to better understand why the U.S. news media has failed in its democratic mission of keeping the citizenry adequately informed. However, relatively little work has focused on television public affairs programs as a forum for political discussion. We explore this genre of program by examining the guest list of 865 editions of ABC News Nightline (1/1/85 to 4/30/88). It is argued that by limiting the range of guests and issues on the program, Nightline is able to legitimize certain political positions, narrow the range of discourse, and certify elite spokes-people. This results in the portrayal of a climate of domestic political consensus and the promotion of an agenda paralleling that of the U.S. government.

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The Chosen Few: Nightline and the Politics of Public Affairs Television

Abstract

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