June 19, 2013

Washington Secrets

Analysis: Media will hype positives in Obamacare rejection

BY: PAUL BEDARD JUNE 21, 2012 | 2:36 PM
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Photo - Jeff Johnston (R) and Gabe Stix (L) of CBS News set up their stake out position in front of the Supreme Court this week in anticipation of a ruling on Obamacare. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Jeff Johnston (R) and Gabe Stix (L) of CBS News set up their stake out position in front of the Supreme Court this week in anticipation of a ruling on Obamacare. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Another day passed without a Supreme Court ruling on ObamaCare, but the anticipation has already moved into the reaction stage, with most betting on a ruling against President Obama's showcase program. And now the conservative Media Research Center, which helps with our weekly Mainstream Media Scream feature, is out with a report on what to look for in the network coverage of a court rejection.

To come up with a template, the group reviewed how the networks covered the multiple rulings against former President George W. Bush's war on terrorism, a total of 15 stories spreading over 35 minutes. Their prediction:

? They will quote anti-ObamaCare justices twice as often as pro-Obama justices.

? By a 3-to-1 margin, they will air mostly soundbites from activists opposed to ObamaCare.

? They will cast the decision as a "rebuke" or "slap" of Obama by a superior authority.

? They will include no suggestion that the court was motivated by politics or ideology.

? They will limit to 10% the share of coverage devoted to any potential negative consequences of an anti-ObamaCare decision.

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