Newswise — In a forthcoming article in the journal, Popular Communication, Dannagal G. Young, an assistant professor of communication at the University of Delaware, analyzes news coverage from the 10-week period of Sarah Pailin’s vice-presidential candidacy in 2008. She explored how journalists conflated Governor Palin and her amusing doppelganger, Saturday Night Live comedian Tina Fey.
Young said the press’ construction of Sarah “Feylin” illustrates how the distinction between news and entertainment has disappeared.
“We know news writers and producers use entertaining-elements like drama and powerful visuals to compete for ratings, but coverage in the 2008 election took this trend to another level,” Young said.
In September 2008, as Palin’s campaign was providing reporters with very little access to the Governor, journalists were trying to get that sense of who Pain was. Remember, journalists’ political understanding – like that of all citizens – is shaped by all the many pieces of politically-relevant information they encounter every day (including SNL). Together, these factors led to a press narrative in which Palin and Fey fought to construct Palin’s identity – and Palin was losing that fight.”
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