Media Matters compiled and analyzed front page print articles from the top 5 print newspapers, by circulation — New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today — on weekdays between October 15 and October 30.
We included all articles that started on the front page of the newspaper, and we excluded small blurbs describing articles and photo captions.
Three researchers independently assessed these front page articles for two factors. They determined: (1) if the article was about elections, or (2) if the article was about Trump and/or Harris. Each page was reviewed individually and given a final code if two of the three researchers independently awarded it the same code.
For an article to be considered about elections, the headline had to mention — or the article had to discuss — Harris, Trump, election officials, election process, or voting.
In order for us to consider an article to be about Trump or Harris, the article had to be predominantly focused on the candidate, their campaign, their policies, their allies, or their rhetoric. In order for us to consider an article to be about both Trump and Harris, the article had to be predominantly focused on or comparing both candidates, their campaigns, their policies, their allies, or their rhetoric. In order for us to consider an article to be about the election but not about either Trump or Harris specifically, the article had to be predominantly focused on the elections process or other election-related issues.