Identifying power, responsibility, and “common sense” in news coverage
This checklist is a practical analytic tool for identifying how power operates through routine journalistic framing, especially where coverage presents itself as neutral or purely factual.
It surfaces recurring structural patterns related to authority, responsibility, time, and value, without evaluating individual journalists or outlets.
The tool is intended for flexible use in reading, teaching, editing, or reflection.
Rather than presenting findings or arguments, this resource makes public the method I use to analyze news coverage in my research. It is offered here as a standalone tool so that readers can apply, adapt, or challenge it in their own contexts.
What it’s for
This checklist may be useful for:
- students learning to read news critically
- journalists and editors reflecting on framing choices
- educators teaching media analysis
- readers who sense something is “off” in coverage but lack shared language to name it
What it is not
What this tool does not do:
- score or rank news coverage
- label journalists or outlets as “good” or “bad”
- prescribe correct interpretations
Instead, it is designed to surface patterns that become visible only when coverage is read comparatively and over time.
Choose the price that reflects your use context:
• Community / student / personal use — $0.50–$5
• Professional / freelance use — $15
• Institutional use — $40
Delivery
After purchase, you’ll receive the PDF by email within 24 hours. If you don’t receive the file, you’re welcome to contact me directly using my contact page.
Samantha D. Stevens 