IMS Manthan (The Journal of Mgt., Comp. Science & Journalism)

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Barack Obama: Examining the Climate of Opinion of Spiral of Silence


Affiliations
1 University of Oklahoma, United States
2 Department of Communication at West Texas A&M University, United States
3 School of Communication Studies at Bowling Green State University, United States
     

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This study examines the relationship between an individual's trust in media and their willingness to voice their opinion about Barack Obama's ethnicity during the 2008 Presidential Campaign. Results among 569 college students reveal a significant positive correlation between media trust and willingness to voice an opinion about Obama's ethnicity. Controlling for sex, education and political affiliation, the relationship between these two constructs increased significantly. Ultimately, the findings reveal the significant influence of media on individual's willingness to voice opinions. The analysis calls for future research into the causal relationship between media trust and willingness to voice an opinion.

Keywords

Political, Elections, Ethnicity, Candidacy, Opinions, Climate of Opinion, Mass Media
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  • Barack Obama: Examining the Climate of Opinion of Spiral of Silence

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Authors

Stephen M. Croucher
University of Oklahoma, United States
Anthony T. Spencer
Department of Communication at West Texas A&M University, United States
Connie McKee
School of Communication Studies at Bowling Green State University, United States

Abstract


This study examines the relationship between an individual's trust in media and their willingness to voice their opinion about Barack Obama's ethnicity during the 2008 Presidential Campaign. Results among 569 college students reveal a significant positive correlation between media trust and willingness to voice an opinion about Obama's ethnicity. Controlling for sex, education and political affiliation, the relationship between these two constructs increased significantly. Ultimately, the findings reveal the significant influence of media on individual's willingness to voice opinions. The analysis calls for future research into the causal relationship between media trust and willingness to voice an opinion.

Keywords


Political, Elections, Ethnicity, Candidacy, Opinions, Climate of Opinion, Mass Media

References