In this article, we analyse the media coverage of party disputes during the first 16 Israeli election campaigns, i.e. in the period 1949 to 2003. Based on a content analysis of newspaper coverage of the two main parties (Labor and Likud) and a qualitative discourse analysis, we maintain that the media coverage of party disputes has undergone major change. From 1949 to 1959 the vast majority of reported disputes reflected external, inter-party debates. From 1961 the level of external debates decreased, while the level of internal, intra-party debates sharply increased. These findings reflect a significant change in the role of 'the party' as a category in the Israeli media's political discourse. The party ceased to be a unitary actor in the political arena and became an arena for political disputes. The dynamic change in party coverage has gone through three main phases: an ideological and collective phase of an external-partisan era during the first decade; an interim phase led by a c
Much of what politicians do, we maintain in this paper, is driven by their belief in the power of media, which motivates their desire to be featured in news coverage. Our argument rests upon recent advances in communication theory, stressing “the influence on presumed media influence” (Gunther, Albert C., and J. Douglas Storey. 2003. “The Influence of Presumed Influence.” [...]
A study was conducted to explore the construction of meaning of elections and, in particular, electoral mandates—policy directives sent from electorates to their elected leaders. Data were obtained from analysis of the five national elections in Israel between 1992 and 2003, a period characterized by numerous turnarounds in government and policy, landslide election results, and significant public opinion shifts. Findings revealed that in no election were all the necessary conditions for mandate election interpretations and actual postelection interpretations fulfilled, and no poll was defined as a mandate election. Findings suggested that mandate elections are rare and difficult to pinpoint. Findings are discussed in detail.
Wolfsfeld, Gadi (1951–) Gadi Wolfsfeld is best known for his research on the role of the media in political conflicts and peace processes. As an Israeli political science and communication [...]
