Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Mass Communication
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
This study examines media coverage of marijuana policy in the context of gubernatorial elections, analyzing how different outlets frame the issue over two election cycles. Using content analysis of news articles from the 2017 and 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial elections, the research explores variations in policy position framing, game framing, and policy reasoning. Key independent variables include local versus national coverage, debate coverage, before and after a candidate publicly declares a policy position, and media ownership. My findings reveal that policy reasoning dominated marijuana-related coverage, while game framing increased closer to Election Day, consistent with the “horse race” nature of the political reporting. Independently owned outlets were significantly less likely to emphasize economic impacts, suggesting differences in framing priorities based on ownership structure. Additionally, debate recency showed marginal significance for social equity framing but did not meaningfully alter overall coverage patterns. Despite expectations that debates might serve as a catalyst for increased policy discussion, no statistically significant shift was detected in policy framing, game framing, or policy reasoning. While corporate-owned outlets demonstrated a slightly greater emphasis on policy reasoning compared to independent outlets, these differences were also not statistically significant. Both local and national outlets demonstrated limited shifts in framing, suggesting that media coverage of the policy follows pre-established patterns. This research contributes to the ongoing discussion about media framing in gubernatorial elections, as an area that remains underexplored in political communication scholarship. It also dives into the challenges of breaking through the clutter of high-noise news cycles, where even salient policy issues such as marijuana legalization struggle to maintain prominence.
Date
4-2-2025
Recommended Citation
Kaczynski, Natalie M., "Highly Reasonable: Media Framing and Policy Reasoning in New Jersey’s Marijuana Legalization Debate" (2025). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 6769.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/6769
Committee Chair
Pingree, Raymond J.