Date of Award

Spring 1987

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Communication

First Advisor

Baxter, William

Abstract

The relationship between business representatives and news media representatives has been the subject of scrutiny and commentary by both communications and business professionals. The conclusions drawn by those looking at the relationship are that the media should report on business affairs but that there are differences between the two groups, some of these differences possibly leading to antagonism. This study of reporter-business executive relations attempted identify similarities and differences in attitudes toward the way business news is gathered, edited and reported. A mailed questionnaire was the method of gathering data, and coorientation was the model used to analyze the relationship. The study revealed that business executives and reporters disagree on several issues relating to business news coverage--especially those issues relating to control of the communication process--though each perceived greater disagreement than actually existed. On the issues where the groups' attitudes are different, members of the groups accurately perceived disagreement.

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