Sounding the Legitimacy Alarm Bell: When Does the Media Discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s Legitimacy?

Authors

Rachael Houston

Date

2023

Abstract

These media outlets cover the Court in such ways because they openly promote a particular political ideology through endorsements, donations, ownership, or slant in coverage. They cater to audiences with similar political beliefs and tailor their coverage accordingly. For example, Fox News was created by Rupert Murdoch to appeal to a conservative audience. So, its content is purposefully conservative and assessed as right-leaning by media bias charts. As a result, polling data reveals that Republicans trust Fox News more than any other outlet. At the same time, Robert “Ted” Turner, the founder of CNN, is a donor to left-progressive causes and political campaigns. His network attracts many Democrats, with around eight in ten Democrats claiming that CNN is their main news source. This suggests that the U.S. Supreme Court coverage can be contentious and polarizing, particularly for controversial cases with political implications.

Recommended Citation

Houston, Rachael (2023) "Sounding the Legitimacy Alarm Bell: When Does the Media Discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s Legitimacy?," Journal of Race, Gender, and Ethnicity: Vol. 12: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.tourolaw.edu/jrge/vol12/iss1/4