How is Campaign Money Spent on the Media and Political Commentators?

12/11/2015

[poconopundit]

I have some questions about how political money is spent and used by the media.

I guess many FReepers would be curious to hear some examples of how political media deals are made -- how the process works. Is the process straightforward and honest? Where can or does corruption occur?

I'm an industry analyst in the tech industry so I see how firms spend promotional dollars in the tech industry. I know that if a tech company buys some consulting time or an industry report from a dishonest analyst firm, then they are provided favorable "coverage" above and beyond the actual service or product they just purchased. It's the indirect or soft promotion that's more valuable.

My gut tells me similar things go on in the political sphere, but I have no personal knowledge of this whatsoever.

So here are three questions:

1. Liberal Ideology vs. Money-Talks -- When a hot issue explodes on the national scene -- like Trump's temporary Muslim immigration ban -- how much of the media outrage is due to MSM ideology alone? And how much is "money talks" commentary: in other words, the media stirs up the controversy because a campaign is spending big bucks to see an opponent attacked in video interviews, pundit discussions, and text editorial hit pieces?

2. Does Local Spending Affect National Media? -- Say a national campaign buys a ton of local market television ad time for NBC's affiliate station in Ohio, maybe. Well, in return, would NBC's national reporters hit hard on the campaign's opponents at the national level -- as a kind of payback for the money spent in Ohio?

3. Editorial/Commentator Coverage vs. Advertising -- Where do political media buyers get the biggest bang for their buck? My hunch is that canned television ads are not as effective news video and print (and electronic) hit pieces on opponents -- or grilling an opponent with tough questions in a television interview.

So how does it all work in the real world?

Are there any books you recommend reading on how political media spending and coverage is done?

Many thanks.

[FerociousRabbit]

For national media, CBS,NBC, NYT, WSJ, etc it is all about ideology. They will gladly take your money but they promote their agenda at all times.

For Republicans, the biggest bang for the buck is radio ads if they are courting the base. Conservative radio shows and networks dominate their liberal counterparts. Conservatives are much more likely to listen to talk radio than any other group.

Democrats use tv ads effectively during daytime broadcast hours. These are the Ellen/Jerry Springer viewers. Democrats also use ground support that doesn’t exist in Republican circles using flyers among labor union members. I suppose that counts as media advertising.

Local tv is a mixed bag and is market dependent. It is easy enough to find a conservative local tv station in west Texas but impossible to find in San Francisco. The impact regarding their national affiliates is negligible. Ads targeting seniors are prolific during local news broadcasts.

When Fox News was more right leaning years ago the slant was obvious. They paired Hannity & Colmes, for instance. Talk about a bloodbath. Hannity would destroy Colmes every night. It was an obvious setup as a toddler could destroy Colmes both physically and mentally.

The commentators found on shows are a reflection of that networks bias.

Print media targets older demographics. You are more likely to find print ads addressing senior issues than anything else.

[minnesota_bound]

Several hundred million goes into the bank account of Karl Rove.

[poconopundit]

Thanks for opening my eyes. This is all very interesting.

[BfloGuy]

You are over thinking it.

The liberal media says what it thinks despite the conservative ad money that supports it.