ABC's "Person of the Week": American values in television news

This study analyzed five years of "ABC World News Tonight's 'Person of the Week'" segments to identify prominent types of people and values endorsed b y mainstream news media. Individuals most frequently selected for ABC's hon or lived in the United States; worked in politics and entertainment; and we re white, male, and famous. American values such as individualism, heroism, and unselfishness were more commonly portrayed than were populism, capital ism, and patriotism. Women who were chosen were less famous and more likely to be in social services and to have caretaker roles than were their male counterparts. Blacks were more likely than whites to come from humble backg rounds and to be the first in their Fields and involved with social issues. Selflessness, especially when exhibited by women, was a frequently celebra ted value.