Manning-Miller explored whether the media is capable of affecting people's beliefs and behaviors and acting as agenda setters in political campaigns. She also gave possible reasons why white sources are used in news reports more than black sources, adding to the use of direct quotes and implications to sway the public opinion away from the political candidate who is also a woman of color. As racial and gender diversity increases in the public realm, however, source diversity should be valued as a reporting objective. Moseley-Braun ran into the problem of media coverage focusing more on her viability and personal attributes than on her policy issues and campaign platform, the author explained. One journalist even went so far as to inform the public of Moseley-Braun's brand preference in stockings.
Stereotypes persist concerning black men and crime, black women and welfare, and parenting issues.
Manning-Miller said her research and similar studies should impact the news industry because communities of color have a growing economic place in society. The University of Mississippi. All rights reserved.