Elite press coverage of the 1986 US-Libya conflict: A case study of tactical and strategic critique

This research tests the effects of press professionalism, administration pr ess management, and public patriotism on coverage of the 1986 U.S.-Libya cr isis by the Associated Press, Washington Post, New York Times, nad Los Ange les Times. Patterns of "tactical" (small-scale, efficiency-oriented) and "s trategic" ( overarching, ethical) critique during periods of low-, medium-, and high-intensity conflict are reviewed. Tactical opposition to both the Reagan administration and the Qaddafi regime slightly outweighs support, wh ile strategic critique of 65 percent pro- Reagan administration but only 14 percent pro-Qaddafi regime. Support foe the U.S. administration declines d uring intense conflict. The pattern of findings supports administration pre ss management.