Analysis: Only 3 percent of reports on CBS, NBC positive for Trump

A new analysis by a nonpartisan media research firm shows that just 3 percent of the reports about President Trump that aired on NBC and CBS were deemed positive. 

The data comes from an analysis by Media Tenor, an independent media research firm founded in 1993. 

The firm’s analysts watched 370 news stories about Trump on the “NBC Nightly News,” “CBS Evening News” and Fox News’s “Special Report” between Jan. 20 and Feb. 17. Trump took office the day the analysis began. 

Overall the analysis found that on NBC and CBS, 43 percent of stories on Trump were negative, while only 3 percent were positive. Fifty-four percent of reports were considered neutral. 

{mosads}On Fox News’s “Special Report”, the coverage also skewed negative, albeit to a lesser extent. 

The Bret Baier-anchored news and analysis program that airs at 6 p.m. ET showed that exactly one-quarter of the reports about Trump were deemed negative by Media Tenor analysts, while 12 percent were deemed positive. The remaining 63 percent were seen as neutral.  

The analysis also saw on a difference in terms of editorial focus between Fox and the two broadcast networks studied.

In the case of Fox News, the primary focus was on personnel decisions and economic news, with the latter being mostly positive for Trump since taking office, given record-breaking highs for the stock market and a favorable jobs report last month.

In contrast, NBC and CBS focused mainly on the president’s immigration policy and controversial immigration executive order. The study found that most of these reports were more negative than positive. 

White House press secretary Sean Spicer criticized the media last month for being too negative toward the administration. 

“The default narrative is always negative, and it’s demoralizing,” Spicer said.

“When we’re right, say we’re right. When we’re wrong, say we’re wrong.”  

A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 51 percent of respondents feel the media has been too critical of Trump, while 41 percent think the press has been mostly fair and objective.