Abstract

The present study examines hostile media bias and the third-person effect in those with anti-immigrant sentiments and those with pro-immigrant sentiments to determine the variables that influence their beliefs about immigrants and immigration in the state of New York. Based on McKeever, Riffe, & Dillman’s (2012) survey conducted in North Carolina, this study builds on their results to evaluate if factors such as geographic location, concentration of immigrants, or political inclinations can change the results. Five-hundred respondents from New York State participated in a survey about their attitudes concerning immigrants and immigration. Results confirm that those with anti-immigrant sentiment will perceive a hostile bias in the media towards the pro-immigrant side, and that each group will perceive media as an influencer and persuasive medium opposed to their attitudes. Also, the results showed that time watching or reading news does not correlate with anti-immigrant sentiment, and that knowledge about immigrants and immigration issues does not mitigate perception or biases.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Immigrants--New York (State)--Public opinion; Immigrants in mass media

Publication Date

11-13-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Communication and Media Technologies (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Communication (CLA)

Advisor

Patrick Scanlon

Advisor/Committee Member

Andrea Hickerson

Advisor/Committee Member

O. Nicholas Robertson

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at JV6456 .R36 2015

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

COMMTCH-MS

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