A Quantitative Analysis of Commentary on Labor Issues of 1958 by Edward P. Morgan

A Quantitative Analysis Of Commentary On Labor Issues Of 1958 By Edward P. Morgan James Walter Wesolowski This study applies an empirical content-analysis to Edward P. Morgan’s labor-related broadcasts from 1958, with the aim of describing the biases present in radio commentary. Wesolowski details the method, collecting material from Morgan’s broadcasts and categorizing lead stories and commentaries, then quantifying three bias factors: explicit judgments (pro-labor vs pro-management), use of quotations from labor or management spokespeople, and descriptions of labor or management activities as commendable or reprehensible. The author also compares Morgan’s labor leads and commentaries with press coverage in the New York Times and Washington Post, and explores Morgan’s sponsorship by the AFL-CIO. Findings indicate a sizable production of labor commentary relative to leads, a predominance of labor-favorable judgments and descriptions, and a modest use of quotes from labor spokesmen. The work concludes that while Morgan’s sponsorship and self-perception show liberal leanings, there is no definitive assertion of sponsor control; the study calls for further, broader media analyses.