Agenda Setting
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Who dictates the news we receive?: An agenda setting study
In a society where a host of issues and problems lie on every corner, there is a significant need for agendas that prioritise and delegate in order of importance. As Dearing and Rogers note: 'Every social system must have an agenda if it is to prioritise the problems facing it, so that it can decide where to start work' (1996: 1). Such issues are ultimately conveyed by the mass media, with television, radio, newspapers and the Internet acting as the major public forums for discussion. The forum is reminiscent of Athenian democracy, and many argue retains the responsibilities that go with it. As Curran contends: '(the media has) a responsibility . . . to provide a rationally based and balanced service which will enable people to make basic judgements about public policy in their capacity as voting citizens of a democracy' (1979: 115). However, this suggestion implies that the agenda is the sole creation of broadcasting producers and newspaper editors...