THE IMPACT OF AGENDA SETTING, INCLUDING THE ROLE OF MEDIA, ON ATTITUDE FORMATION IN INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

attitudes

attitudes are positive or negative evaluations of a topic, idea, or object, formed through the process of judgement

what is agenda setting

the media’s ability to influence what the public perceives as important by selecting which stories to highlight

process of agenda setting

carefully selecting the stories they broadcast and presenting limited viewpoints, they are able to use public opinion to influence public policy

accessibility

cognitive process - the media provides information which is the most relevant food for thought, portraits the major issues of the society and reflects peoples’ minds

salience

font size, front page, trending

credibility

expert quotes, statistics, reliable source, authoritative tone

gatekeepers

refers to being in charge and/or having control of the selection of content discussed in the media —> editors are the main gatekeepers (decide what events to broadcast and show based on the basis of perceived newsworthiness)

priming

a media process where certain issues are given more time, space and repetition, making them more salient or vivid in people minds making them believe that the issue being repeated is the most important

framing

a selective control process used by the media to shape how an issue is presented and understood

two ways framing can occur

how the news is shaped and contextualised using a specific perspective, how the audience adopts that perspective to understand and judge the issue

consequences of agenda setting

the effects of having no or little choice about the messages we hear and the consistent approach to certain views can have a profound effect on attitude formation —> means we require socila and cultural literacy when engaging with the media