Candidate appearances on soft news shows and public knowledge about primary campaigns

This study examines the relationship between exposure to candidate appearances on soft news programs and knowledge about the 2004 Democratic primary campaign. Survey respondents reported seeing candidates on late-night, political comedy, morning, and news magazine shows. Seeing a candidate on a late-night or political comedy show was positively related to knowledge, whereas seeing a candidate on a morning show was not. Evidence of a positive relationship between seeing a candidate on a news magazine show and knowledge was mixed. The findings suggest that candidate appearances on late-night and political comedy programs may contribute to the democratic process.