The Center for Media and Public Affairs studied
ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts from January 1 to March 1, the eve of Super Tuesday, and assessed the “evaluations of non-partisan sources and reporters” in campaign stories. Their findings show a historic result since they began tracking TV campaign news in 1988:
“Kerry had best press of any nominee we’ve ever tracked — 81 percent positive. But Edwards had the best press of any major candidate — 96 percent positive. The Democratic field got the best combined coverage ever — 75 percent positive. Democratic primary candidates have gotten 60 percent good press since 1988, compared to 45 percent for Republicans.”