Marquette University studies newspaper coverage of 'Passion' film

Published: 2004-04-19

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- An analysis of newspaper coverage of the movie "The Passion of the Christ" conducted by Jesuit-run Marquette University in Milwaukee showed that there was more positive than negative coverage in news stories, although news stories with neutral coverage outnumbered the positive and negative coverage. However, reviews, editorials, letters to the editor and feature stories about the movie tended to be more negative than positive. William Elliott, dean of Marquette's College of Communication, which conducted the study, said he found the level of coverage extraordinary and that the study's results, released April 8, confirmed his own instincts of what he saw in the press. The first phase of the Marquette study covered the 10 highest-circulation U.S. newspapers. The second phase will cover at least one newspaper in each of the 50 states. Under analysis were stories published between Jan. 1 and March 20; the film was released Feb. 25. The 10 newspapers averaged 35 stories each over that time period, or close to one story every other day.

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