I don't have the resources to do a statistical analysis, but here's an example of what I'm talking about - NPR news at the top of the hour has headlines, and audio snippets. My recollection is, if the President of the United States was to be heard on air, that 'snippet' always is first.
It seems to me that this President [as well as Democrats generally] gets short shrift, even at NPR. In this case, at the 10AM 'news headlines', two Republicans were given audio snippets first, and the President the last one.
Another NPR example: rather than actually have sound bites from the President's Saturday Weekly address, I've recently heard headlines at NPR play sound bites from the Republicans in response, and nothing more than a synopsis from the newsreader of the President's speech. I believe this has happened more than once.
Now as a former reporter who worked for NPR, I understand that there are exceptions, and that there may be times that an important story will take precedence over what the President might may to have, or sequence of airing sound clips. It seems to me that there is a disturbing trend of placement and emphasis in NPR's news reporting that discounts this President, specifically.
I'm using NPR as the 'test bed', because frankly I don't listen to any other media on a regular basis. As an 'ex employee' I tend to pay more attention to NPR.
It seems to me that when Bush was President, anything he ever said got 'top billing' on any political synopsis. President Obama, if he gets 'billing', it seems to be placed almost randomly. In this case, playing a sound clip from the President at the end of the segment was sort of jarring to me, it rankled me. I've noticed this before at NPR. It seems to be a trend they've developed.
If I had the time or money, comparing the records of how NPR has placed their stories and sound clips, as well as what they play or not play and how much of it, of the President and other politicians as well would be quite interesting.
I think the comparative analysis would be quite fascinating, looking at the Clinton and Bush administrations to see what has changed.
Next time you listen to any media, pay attention to placement of the various players, what type of media is used to present the story [audio, video] and of course if there is even presence of people like the President or other prominent Democratic leaders.