Critical analysis and comment (News Performance)

Field of application/theoretical foundation: Analyses critical analysis and comment are theoretically linked to the news performance watchdog function media (Donsbach, 1995; McQuail, 1992). This construct is related normative expectation that should critically analyze on cases abuse power, incompetence, failures grievances in government institutions, non-profit organizations, or private sector (Downie & Schudson, 2009). References/combination with other methods data collection: The reporting complex requires an understanding context references made by journalist. Furthermore, it empirically demanding distinguish between sense criticism negativity sensationalism (Humprecht, 2016). Due this complexity, automated approaches have hardly been employed so far. Example studies: Benson (2010); Humprecht (2016) Table 1. Study summaries Author(s) Sample Unit Analysis Values Reli-ability (2010) Content type: immigration coverage (all articles focused broad trends, policy making politics, individual immigrants) Outlet/ country: 14 newspapers from two countries (FR, US) Sampling period: 1991/1994; 2002/2004; 2006) size: N= 1088 analysis: statements (from sources/ journalists) Critical classified according their target, substantive focus, sources Target (government; dominant left parties; right minor political civil society organizations; business; foreign international organizations) Focus (administrative, character, truth, ideology, policy, strategy) Administrative (failure (e.g., corruption, mismanagement) Truth evidence demonstrate falsity claims) Character criticisms attacks personal characteristics powerful individuals public life) Policy logical coherence, feasibility, empirical justification, supporting any pro- posed policy) Ideology fascism, racism, sexism, worldviews) Strategy (negative assessments effectiveness a particular idea/ action; strategies) Holsti M=0.85 Political routine-period online 48 outlets six (CH, DE, FR, IT, UK, June – July 2012 1660 items (make reference actor, e.g. politician, party, institution headline, sub?headline, first paragraph accompanying visual) Story shows perspective towards authorities/power holders raises probing questions at actors responsible for problem discovers new, previously unknown information about social/political relevance; story may unveil ‘scandal’ Cohen’s kappa: = 0.74 0.67 unveiling scandals 0.81 References Benson, R. (2010). What Makes Press? A Case French U.S. Immigration News Coverage. International Journal Press/Politics, 15(1), 3–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940161209349346 Donsbach, W. (1995). Lapdogs, Watchdogs Junkyard Dogs. Media Studies Journal, Fall 1995, 17–30. Downie, L., M. (2009). Reconstruction American Journalism. Humprecht, E. (2016). Shaping Online Performance. In Palgrave Macmillan. Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-56668-3 D. (1992). Performance: Mass Communication Public Interest. Sage Publications.