Work

Case of the Mondays: Examining Media Coverage of Oral Arguments Based on Weekday Selection

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The US Supreme Court follows a fixed weekly schedule, with specific days assigned for tasks. Oral arguments – held on select Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays – are the only public part of the Court’s decision-making process. We argue that news outlets consider the Court’s schedule when deciding which arguments to cover. To test this, we analyze media coverage of oral arguments from the 2019, 2020, and 2021 terms. Our findings reveal a notable disparity, with Monday arguments receiving the most coverage. This highlights the influence of the Court’s schedule on media attention, shaping public awareness, and the perceived importance of cases.

Source: Journal of Law and Courts

DOI: 10.1017/jlc.2024.22

Authors: Rachael Houston, Eve M. Ringsmuth

Institutions: Texas Christian University, Oklahoma State University

Language: English

Topic: Media Studies and Communication

Subfield: Communication

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450