本研究探討對總統候選人的攻擊新聞與其民調支持度的關係。以台 灣的總統大選為例，本研究的主要假設是媒體對候選人的攻擊報導量與 候選人的支持度呈負相關。資料蒐集方法包括内容分析以及民調的二手 資料蒐集。内容分析的資料來源為中國時報、聯合報與自由時報，過錄 的主要變項為攻擊語調與議題攻擊/形象攻擊。本研究的主要發現如 下：愈接近大選，愈多攻擊性報導。另外，頭版的攻擊量與某候選人的 支持度呈顯著負相關。

This study examines the relationships between political attack news and public attitudes toward the * presidential candidates during the campaign for the presidential election in 2000. This study hypothesizes that while mass media increasingly portrayed the candidates negatively, people might feel negatively toward the candidates. The sample for the content analysis was drawn from the three major newspapers in Taiwan. All the candidate-related news articles were coded as attack/non-attack, and image/issue attack. The data for approval ratings of the candidates were drawn from public opinion polls. The study's results offer some insights into the relationship between the presidential candidates and the public opinion. The amount of attack news directed at candidates significantly increase when the election approaches. Attack news coverage of some candidate has negative effects on his approval ratings.