Representation of Elite Political Ideologies in Media Sources

Abstract

Opening Paragraph|In our current society, the media serves as one of the primary sources for information that fuels arguments surrounding the deep political divides that have become characteristic of politics in the United States. This stream of information is increasingly available to the public, especially with modern technology and the increased usage of social media. G. William Domhoff's writings on the influence and economic power of the power elite theorize that our media sources are subject to influence from power elites. This study explores the extent to which these elite political ideologies are present in media sources. Drawing on evidence collected through an analysis of the boards of directors for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, this paper argues that the political ideologies of the power elite associated with media corporations are not always consistent with the overall political ideologies expressed by the respective media corporations' opinion and editorial publications.