Are the Networks Biased? ``Calling'' States in the 2000 Presidential Election

B-Tier
Journal: Public Choice
Year: 2004
Volume: 118
Issue: 1_2
Pages: 53-59

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Among the controversies arising from the 2000 Presidential election was the accusation that media networks called, or projected, a winner faster in those states won by Albert Gore than in those states won by George W. Bush. We investigate this accusation by estimating a Tobit model of the length of time between states' poll closing times and the times at which CNN projected a winner. Our results support the charge of media bias. After controlling for other factors that affect how quickly a state is called, states called for Gore were called 14 to 18 minutes faster than those called in favor of Bush.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:kap:pubcho:v:118:y:2004:i:1_2:p:53-59
Journal Field
Public
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-26