Higher education coverage in Boston newspapers: A content analysis

The following content analysis examined for one month the quantity and type of higher education articles in the two Boston metropolitan daily newspapers. Articles were measured and assigned to eight major categories: sports, features, news, editorial pages, columns, news analysis, reviews, and photos with cutline only. Results of the study indicated that both newspapers had more spot news stories only a few inches in length rather than in-depth feature articles concerning the major issues and trends facing higher education today. Editorials, columns, news analysis articles, and reviews received little coverage. Data also showed that the most prestigious, well-known universities received the greatest amount of coverage.