Framing effects of television news coverage of social protest

We investigated framing effects of television news coverage of an anarchist protest. Three treatment stories differed in their level of status quo sup port. Status quo support had significant effects on viewers, leading them t o be more critical of and less likely to identify with, the protesters; les s critical of the police; and less likely to support the protesters' expres sive rights. Status quo support also produced lower estimates of the protes t's effectiveness, public support, and perceptions of newsworthiness. The r esults substantiate concerns about status quo support by showing that it ca n influence audience perceptions.