Television news shapes which public problems viewers take seriously

Evidence

Taken together, the evidence from the two experiments strongly supports the classical agenda-setting hypothesis. With a single and, we think, forgivable exception, viewers exposed to news devoted to a particular problem become more convinced of its importance. Network news programs seem to possess a powerful capacity to shape the public’s agenda. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 1472 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

By experimentally manipulating the media’s agenda, we can decisively test Lippmann’s assertion that the problems that media decide are important become so in the minds of the public. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 1446 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: A respected publication’s coverage legitimizes scandal into public issue — Robert A. Caro, The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the…, 4268; News coverage devoted to a problem increases public belief in its importance — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 1472; Media agenda can determine which problems the public deems important. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 1446 (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• News coverage devoted to a problem increases public belief in its importance #corroborates (0.95) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 1472
• Media agenda can determine which problems the public deems important. #corroborates (0.93) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 1446