Often wondered if editorials influence behavior, either by the General public or elected officials. Are they successful at changing someone’s mind on a subject or do they simply reinforce one’s belief on an issue. Are editorials appearing in more influential publications (ie NY times, WSJ, etc) more effective because of distribution numbers or because of stature?
“A man hears what he wants to hear,
And disregards the rest”
- The Boxer, Simon and Garfunkel
I suspect it works in the case of newspaper editorials, too, though some would generate controversy - much like “comments” sections of online news articles, but slower and you got only those with the interest and ability to write a letter and mail it.
The Chicago Tribune got some attention when it endorsed Obama for President in 2008 and again in 2012, because it was the first time the paper had ever endorsed a Democratic presidential candidate. On the other hand, Chicagoland seemed primed to vote for Obama anyway.
Nate Silver did a pretty thorough analysis of whether the **Manchester Union Leader’s **endorsement meant anything in the New Hampshire Presidential primary. Silver’s conclusion was that it was possible. Or maybe it just meant that the Union Leader reflected the voters.
The very next week, however, Silver looked at the Des Moines Register’s record in Iowa, and found that Democratic candidates with the paper’s endorsement fared better, but Republican candidates performed worse. Considering that the Register endorsed Obama in the 2008 election and Romney in 2012, but that Obama carried Iowa in both elections, the paper’s effect is mixed, at best.
I’d guess that a newspaper’s editorial opinion would have the most influence in something like a bond issue or local election where the issues aren’t all that clear.
It was far more influential in the past than it is today. In large cities, there were multiple papers that reflected different political groups. People read a paper because they agreed with its opinions. If it was a Republican newspaper that endorsed a Democrat, the readers would seriously consider the endorsement since it was someone they trusted.
I’d venture that the vast majority of newspaper editorials are only read by a small percentage of the public, and thus seldom make a significant difference.
What he said. Who reads editorials these days? Certainly not most people I know, some of which are quite literate. Do I really care what the editor (or publisher) of a major newspaper thinks? Just give me the news please. Some guy’s opinion isn’t newsworthy.