COVID-19 and New Mexico Daily Newspaper Coverage of Native American Government Elected Leaders

Abstract

This empirical content analysis of news coverage by New Mexico’s largest-circulation daily newspapers of Native American leaders before and during the Covid-19pandemic – a total of 1,314 articles – reveals stark disproportionality. Six of the eight dailies increased news coverage of the Navajo Nation president, with the statewide-circulation Albuquerque Journal stepping up its efforts dramatically. Arguably, the state’s Apache presidents and Pueblo governors were subjected to erasure via denial of difference, as the voice of the Navajo Nation president was effectively substituted for those of his Apache and Pueblo counterparts. Recommendations are offered to reduce the problem.