Which political function of the media is evident in the following sentence: “The news media constantly emphasize crime and politicians are evaluated on how they deal with this issue?” a) socialization b) interpretation c) persuasion d) agenda setting
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d) agenda setting.
Agenda setting refers to the ability of the media to influence the importance placed on the topics of the public agenda. By emphasizing certain issues, such as crime in this case, the media draw attention to these topics and shape public perception about what is significant. In the sentence provided, the news media consistently emphasize crime, which results in politicians being evaluated based on how they address this issue. This demonstrates the media’s role in setting the agenda by highlighting certain issues and encouraging political leaders to respond to them.
Agenda setting works through the media’s selective coverage of events, issues, and personalities. The more media attention an issue receives, the more likely it is that the public will perceive it as an important topic that requires action or discussion. In this case, the focus on crime makes it a central issue in political discourse, leading politicians to prioritize it in their campaigns and policy agendas to satisfy public expectations.
The theory of agenda setting suggests that while the media may not directly tell people what to think, they are quite effective in telling them what to think about. By giving extensive coverage to crime, the media compel political leaders to focus on crime control and law enforcement, influencing their policies and actions in response. This illustrates the media’s power not just in informing the public but also in shaping the political discourse by determining which issues gain prominence in the public sphere.