Understanding Right-Wing Media: Examining the History and Influence of Conservative News
In the modern information landscape, the influence of right-wing media is often discussed but rarely historically contextualized. Dr. A.J. Bauer, an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media, focuses his research on the origins and evolution of conservative news and its role in shaping American political discourse.
Dr. A.J. Bauer’s research explores the history and influence of right-wing media in the United States, focusing on how conservative news has developed and shaped political discourse over time. His research examines where conservative media came from, why it emerged, and how it continues to function within today’s media landscape.
Bauer’s interest in this field is both academic and personal. Growing up listening to conservative talk radio, he later realized in graduate school that there was limited research explaining its cultural and political significance.
“I grew up listening to conservative talk radio,” Bauer says. “When I got to graduate school, I realized there was little research into that phenomenon and what little existed failed to capture why it felt salient to people in the community I grew up in.”
His background as a journalist also influenced his research, particularly his interest in understanding the origins of claims surrounding “liberal media bias.” Liberal media bias refers to the perception or demonstrated tendency of journalists and news outlets to favor left-leaning, progressive, or liberal viewpoints in their reporting, story selection, and framing of issues.This curiosity led to his book “Making the Liberal Media: How Conservatives Built a Movement Against the Press,” which traces the historical roots of conservative media and its relationship with mainstream journalism.
Media, Politics, and Public Understanding
Bauer’s current research continues to examine how conservative media has evolved and why it remains influential today. His research is especially relevant as major figures with right-leaning political interests invest in media ownership across news, entertainment, and digital platforms.
By placing today’s media landscape in historical context, Bauer’s work helps explain why conservative media has developed into such a powerful force and how it continues to shape public perception and political conversation.
In addition to academic research, Bauer engages with a broad audience. His work serves journalists, scholars and members of the public who want to better understand political media, whether to analyze opposing viewpoints or gain deeper insight into their own.
“I write popular political commentary that appeals to members of the general public who are interested in politics,” Bauer states. “My work appeals to people on the left who want to know more about the politics they oppose, and to people on the right who want to know the history of their own political movement.”
Through his scholarship, Bauer aims to provide deeper context and understanding of political media, helping audiences navigate an increasingly complex and evolving information environment. Click here for more on Bauer’s work.