A Positive Spin on a Negative Narrative: How the Media Portrays Fraternities and What Fraternities Can Do About it

Taylor, Z.W., Zamora, J., McArdle, A., & Villa, M. (2018) Putting a positive spin on a negative narrative: How fraternities are portrayed in popular newspaper outlets. ORACLE: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, 13(1), 51-68.

18 Pages Posted: 6 Aug 2019

See all articles by ZW Taylor

ZW Taylor

University of Southern Mississippi

Jennifer Zamora

University of Texas at Austin, Students

Arianne McArdle

University of Texas at Austin, Students

Mario Villa

University of Texas at Austin, Students

Date Written: Summer 2018

Abstract

As research on fraternity men largely focuses on misbehavior and criminal activity, no research examines the types of stories reported on by media outlets and whether these stories include fraternity voices or statements. Employing quantitative content analysis, this study examines 100 fraternity-related stories published by the ten newspaper websites most frequently visited by people in the United States. Findings suggest 12% of fraternity-related publications are positive in nature and tone, 36% of publications include official fraternity-issued statements, and 69% of all publications include official university-issued statements. Implications for practitioners and future research is addressed.

Keywords: fraternities, sororities, higher education, colleges, universities, Greek life, Greek organizations

Suggested Citation

Taylor, ZW and Zamora, Jennifer and McArdle, Arianne and Villa, Mario, A Positive Spin on a Negative Narrative: How the Media Portrays Fraternities and What Fraternities Can Do About it (Summer 2018). Taylor, Z.W., Zamora, J., McArdle, A., & Villa, M. (2018) Putting a positive spin on a negative narrative: How fraternities are portrayed in popular newspaper outlets. ORACLE: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, 13(1), 51-68. , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3431209

ZW Taylor (Contact Author)

University of Southern Mississippi ( email )

Hattiesburg, MS 39406
United States

Jennifer Zamora

University of Texas at Austin, Students ( email )

TX
United States

Arianne McArdle

University of Texas at Austin, Students ( email )

TX
United States

Mario Villa

University of Texas at Austin, Students ( email )

TX
United States

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