Harvard University Media Study Signals Huge Bias

Harvard University Media Study Signals Huge Bias
Published: 19 May, 2017
1 min read

Harvard Media Study: Living in the Age of Extremes

Harvard University has released a new study revealing the remarkable extent the mainstream media has gone to harm President Donald Trump.

Academics at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy analyzed coverage from Trump’s first 100 days in office across 10 major TV and print outlets.

Their findings illustrate the steady propaganda efforts to delegitimize the president.

The tone of some outlets was negative in as many as 98% of reports, significantly more hostile than the first 100 days of the three previous administrations:

There was one exception: the president received positive coverage for the cruise missile attack on Syria.

When the academics compared Trump with other administrations the differences were stark.

The study found President Barack Obama’s first 100 days got a positive write-up 59% of the time. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush got negative coverage, although to a much lesser extent than Trump.

Clinton’s first 100 days got 40% positivity, while Bush’s got 43%:

Photo Credit: rangizzz / shutterstock.com

IVP Donate

You Might Also Like

Why We Call Ourselves Independent Voter News
Why We Call Ourselves Independent Voter News
For 15 years, we have published more than 14,000 articles written by people from different walks of life, different parts of the country, and different political backgrounds....
01 Apr, 2026
-
2 min read
New IVP 2026 California Governor Poll: What the Toplines Don’t Tell You
New IVP 2026 California Governor Poll: What the Toplines Don’t Tell You
Using verified California voter file data, IVP surveyed high-propensity voters from February 13 through 20. The poll tested first-choice ballot preferences alongside issue intensity on affordability and the cost of living, immigration enforcement, more choice reform, and more....
23 Feb, 2026
-
10 min read
81% of Americans Say Money Controls Politics – Can a Constitutional Amendment Fix It?
81% of Americans Say Money Controls Politics – Can a Constitutional Amendment Fix It?
Polls consistently show that nearly all Americans across the political spectrum agree that there is too much money in politics – whether from foreign sources, corporations, or so-called “dark money” groups. ...
23 Feb, 2026
-
13 min read