Memorial University DAI: An examination of press coverage and public comment on educational issues

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Document Description

Title	An examination of press coverage and public comment on educational issues
Author	Tulk, Bertram Richard, 1956-
Description	Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1984. Education
Date	1984
Pagination	ix, 90 leaves : ill.
Subject	Journalism, Educational; Education--Newfoundland and Labrador--Public opinion;
Degree	M.Ed.
Degree Grantor	Memorial University of Newfoundland. Faculty of Education
Discipline	Education
Language	Eng
Spatial Coverage	Canada--Newfoundland and Labrador
Notes	Bibliography : leaves 85-87
Abstract	This study was conducted to assess the volume and nature of the treatment of education by the press and the public, as contained in the opinionated sections of daily newspapers. The researcher also sought to determine the nature of the relationship between press coverage and public comment on educational issues. -- The data for the study were obtained by examining the opinionated sections - editorials, columns, letters to the editor, and articles - published in the three daily newspapers of Newfoundland and Labrador during a five-year period, from January 1, 1979 to December 31, 1983. All items concerned with primary, elementary, and secondary education were classified in order to make possible a description of the volume and nature of the treatment. -- Some of the general findings which resulted from this analysis were: -- 1. The volume of press and public expressions directed towards education fluctuated over the period, the amount being proportionate to the degree of controversy surrounding specific issues at a particular time. -- 2. Although much press coverage and public comment was classified as being critical of educational decisions and practices, almost all of these items were aimed at improving the quality of education. -- 3. Issues related to teachers, the curriculum, and school administration ranked among the top four issues in volume with both press coverage and public comment. -- 4. Student-related issues were treated favourably by the press and the public. The press were completely supportive of denominational education, while public contributors gave favourable treatment to teacher-related matters. The majority of press coverage and public comment was classified as being critical towards bussing, the curriculum, and the reorganized high school program. -- 5. Public contributors were more prone than members of the press to voice strong positions on issues, the former embodying more critical, more supportive, and less neutral statements than the latter. -- 6. Press and public responses to previously-published items were predominantly contrary to opinions voiced by the instigating writers. However, members of the press tended to agree with the instigating items more often than did public respondents.
Type	Text
Resource Type	Electronic thesis or dissertation
Format	Image/jpeg; Application/pdf
Source	Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries
Local Identifier	75313224
Rights	The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
Collection	Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Scanning Status	Completed
PDF File	(12.89 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Tulk_BertramRichard.pdf
Transcript	This study was conducted to assess the volume and\ nature of the.treatment of education by the press and the public, as contained in the opinionated sections of daily newspapers. The researcher also sought to determine the nature of the relationship between press coverage and public comment on educational issues. -- The data for the study were obtained by examining the opinionated sections - editorials, columns, letters to the editor, and articles - published in the three daily newspapers of Newfoundland and Labrador during a five-year period, from January 1, 1979 to December 31, 1983. All items concerned with primary, elementary, and secondary education were classified in order to make possible a description of the volume and nature of the treatment. -- Some of the general findings which resulted from this analysis were: -- 1. The volume of press and public expressions directed towards education fluctuated over the period, the amount being proportionate to the degree of controversy surrounding specific issues at a particular time. -- 2. Although much press coverage and public comment was classified as being critical of educational decisions and practices, almost all of these items were aimed at improving the quality of education. -- 3. Issues related to teachers, the curriculum, and school administration ranked among the top four issues in volume with both press coverage and public comment. -- 4. Student-related issues were treated favourably by the press and the public. The press were completely supportive of denominational education, while public contributors gave favourable treatment to teacher-related matters. The majority of press coverage and public comment was classified as being critical towards bussing, the curriculum, and the reorganized high school program. -- 5.Public contributors were more prone than members of the press to voice strong positions on issues, the former embodying more critical, more supportive, and less neutral statements than the latter. -- 6. Press and public responses to previously-published items were predominantly contrary to opinions voiced by the instigating writers. However, members of the press tended to agree with the instigating items more often than did public respondents.
CONTENTdm file name	325129.cpd