Agenda Setting & Polarization

Agenda Setting Theory posits that “the press may not be successful in telling people what to think, but it is stunningly successful in telling people what to think about'' (McCombs & Shaw, 1972). By offering specific perspectives on events and public figures that in turn influence aggregate opinions and behavior, there is a great responsibility to decrease partisan divides by providing accurate and unbiased content.

Through analyzing the outlined tenets of this theory, a cohesive program can be applied to individuals and news networks that aim to provide individual and collective solutions for this polarization. The roadmap for policy implementations based upon critical assumptions of Agenda Setting Theory include the strengthening of the Media & Public Agenda, evaluation of Issue & Attribute Salience, and inciting transparency and accountability within Priming, Framing, and Gatekeeping.

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