Abstract

First Ladies take on highly visible public roles within the American political system. They serve as role models for American women, symbolically representing the upper-middle-class-white American woman. The mass media cover extensively the women who become first ladies and symbolism associated with the firstladyship. The purpose of the present study is to provide a systematic examination of New York Times coverage of first ladies to understand and interpret change that has occurred in coverage. The findings suggest that first ladies have the opportunity to take advantage of the first lady podium and use it to meet public expectations and fulfill personal agendas, causing media to respond by covering them differently than in the past.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

New York Times; Presidents' spouses--United States--Press coverage

Publication Date

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Communication and Media Technologies (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Department of Communication (CLA)

Advisor

Bruce Austin

Advisor/Committee Member

Rudy Pugliese

Advisor/Committee Member

Ron Hira

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at E176.2 .S34 2004

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Download

Share

COinS