Talking About Tweets: Television Metacoverage of Twitter During Elections and Its Effects

Abstract

This study examines press metacoverage (i.e., news about news) of Twitter on television news programs during election campaigns. It takes a look at the impact this metacoverage has on these campaigns. A content analysis found that coverage of Twitter has increased by election cycles (8 stories in 2008, 30 stories in 2010 and 50 stories in 2012) and that PBS Newshour, among other political talk programs cover Twitter the most. Results show that metacoverage of Twitter can have an impact on the public’s view of candidates personality traits.