On the eve of the conventions, the portrayal in the news media of the
character and records of the two presidential contenders in 2012 has
been as negative as any campaign in recent times, and neither candidate
has enjoyed an advantage over the other, according to a new study of
mainstream media coverage of the race for president.
More of what the public hears about candidates also now comes from the
campaigns themselves and less from journalists acting as independent
reporters or interpreters of who the candidates are.
