Is Twitter just rehashing? Intermedia agenda setting between Twitter and mainstream media

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates intermedia agenda setting between old and new media platforms through a study of the Norwegian Twitter and mainstream media agendas. The study tracks top tweets and headline news, asking whether Twitter mainly rehashes mainstream media content or actually produces original content. The study finds that Twitter and mainstream media are consistent on the salience of many issues, but also that Twitter gives attention to issues that are overlooked by mainstream media, such as news about environmental challenges and gender equality. The paper also suggests that Twitter contributes to an expansion of the elite, meaning that it has become an important platform for eloquent and media-savvy people outside the traditional political, economic, or academic elites.