Agenda Setting Research Articles

Science and Technology Reportage in Selected Nigerian Newspapers: A Study of Punch, The Guardian and VanguardScience and Technology Reportage in Selected Nigerian Newspapers: A Study of <i>Punch, The Guardian and Vanguard</i>

researchers also set out to determine the level of coverage given to science and technology news by the newspapers; to ascertain the story types (genres) used in reporting science and technology by the newspapers; and identify the sources of science and technology news in the select newspapers. This study adopted quantitative content analysis approach, using agenda-setting theory as its theoretical framework. This study found, among others, that the level of coverage of the issue of discourse was low. Again, different story types were used, but the news genre was mostly applied while major sources of science and technology news were private companies and foreign media. In the vein of these findings, the researchers recommended that Nigeria’s newspapers should increase their coverage of science and technology stories. Also, features and opinion articles (by specialists in the field of science and technology) should be used to explain how most science and technology equipment function, and can be utilised.

Unveiling the veil: A critical analysis of news coverage in Sri Lankan print media

Media plays a fundamental role in shaping public opinion and discourse, with print media serving as a primary source of news and information worldwide. This research critically analyzes news coverage within the print media landscape of Sri Lanka, a country marked by diverse socio-political complexities. Through in-depth interviews with journalists, editors, media analysts, and academics, the study examines media bias, agenda setting, framing of conflict and ethnic issues, representation of minorities, and the influence of political affiliations and ownership structures. Thematic analysis reveals pervasive biases, selective reporting, and challenges in equitable representation. The findings underscore the pivotal role of the media in shaping public perception and discourse, while highlighting the imperative of upholding journalistic ethics and professionalism. Addressing these challenges necessitates fostering media pluralism, promoting diversity in ownership, and ensuring adherence to ethical standards. Ultimately, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of media dynamics in complex socio-political contexts and underscores the importance of a free, impartial, and responsible media in fostering informed public discourse and democratic values.

‘Cheating’ your way to the top: a focus on language in the Australian media’s representation of performance enhancing drugs

Sports media holds significant power in informing societal views on performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) which are routinely depicted through the ideals of morality and expected sporting behaviours. This has provided an emergent focus for research studies. This study aims to identify how the Australian media frames PEDs across a diverse range of media sources through the selection of five print and online media publications. Using media framing, agenda setting and content analysis, the study analyses the language and framing each publication used to report on individuals and countries associated with, linked to, or found to be using, PEDs. Observed writing styles positioned PEDs as moral transgressions which tarnish the ‘spirit of sport’. Such writing revealed the media’s self-imposed responsibility to define acceptable sporting acts for the community. This manuscript critiques the negative impact of the media’s imbalanced debate and calls for a more balanced approaching to reporting.

Role of Language in Emotions and Bias: A Cognitive Linguistic Perspective of Affective Political Media in the US

In todays digital era, where emotions are central to journalism and information disseminates rapidly, the role of language in transmitting emotions, stereotypes, and biases has become a subject of debate and study. The use of language in news media can be argued, as it may prioritize sensationalism over accuracy to tap into peoples feelings under new business models and the attention economy. While journalism ethics aim to minimize bias, journalism consistently incorporates emotions to captivate the audience and create an experience of involvement. This is significant because language, consumed from diverse media news channels, is integral to cognition. Research in cognitive linguistics demonstrates that human beings view the world in metaphoric terms, and language defines and constrains communication, thinking, and sense-making. This article explores linguistic mechanisms such as metaphors of flood and aliens, agenda setting, selectivity, framing, and expectancy bias, through which emotions, perspectives, and affectivity are sustained and propagated in political news reporting. It considers the impact of stereotypes and biases, particularly in the media portrayal of undocumented immigrants and different framings in the description of the War in Gaza. The article highlights that language is seldom neutral and is intertwined with motives, emphasizing the importance of understanding the persuasive power of words. In conclusion, this paper reveals the role of language in shaping perceptions of message receivers and contributes to enhancing linguistic justice, informing more ethical approaches to journalism and media production. It emphasizes the need for an editorially conscious and intelligent use of language to create engaging, empathetic content.

Public Policy and Governance Issues in Multi-Ethnic Society: The Predicaments of Policy Agenda Setting in Nigeria

It is an indisputable fact that Nigeria is a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious country. It is also widely recognized that the country has an abundance of material and human resources due to its diverse population. But what was once seen and considered as a blessing has turned into a serious problem for governance and politics in Nigeria. This is because the determination of ethnic entrepreneurs to invoke the common consciousness shared by individuals who identify with a specific ethnic or religious group lies at the heart of a lot of governance and policy challenges in the country. Symbolic ethnic pluralism has been an element in conflictual group relations whenever there is socioeconomic and political competition in the country. The objective of this paper is to examine how public policy agenda-setting and ethnoreligious consciousness intersect in Nigeria. The study used a qualitative approach, collecting data from the author’s observations as well as a comprehensive analysis of the body of existing literature. The findings imply that the overlapping roles of power, perception, potency, and proximity in political mobilization and policy-making in Nigeria have an impact on the intersection of ethnicity and religion as well as the reduction of complex geostrategic and historical conflicts to ethnic strife. The study recommended that the country’s current institutional arrangements and social norms be drastically altered.

Adequacy of Communication Channels for Maternal Healthcare in Delta State

This study examined the adequacy of communication channels available for maternal healthcare in Delta State. Rationalized by the agenda setting theory, the quantitative and qualitative research designs, the questionnaire was used to extract relevant information from a sample size of 399 respondents. The study found that the level of awareness of the programmes was encouraging for FMHCP and HeFAD. The majority of respondents acknowledged that the communication channels were adequate, and more than half thought they were effective in influencing participation in the maternal healthcare programmes. The stakeholders acknowledged the use of multiple communication channels in spreading awareness of the maternal healthcare programmes. Therefore, the study recommends the continuous usage of communication channels to spread awareness of maternal healthcare programmes.

Public Perception of African Independent Television “Democracy Today” Programme on the Promotion of Nigeria’s Democracy

The significance of television as a mobilisation medium is widely acknowledged on a global scale. African Independent Television's (AIT) "Democracy Today" programme holds a prominent position as a political, social, and economic show and is considered one of the flagship programs on Nigerian television. This study aims to explore the public perception of AIT's "Democracy Today" programme in its role in promoting Nigeria's democracy. Drawing on media dependency theory, agenda setting theory, and the psychological theory of perception, the research used a survey research design, employing an availability sampling technique to distribute 400 questionnaires among residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. The findings revealed that participants were familiar with and exposed to the "Democracy Today" programme, and data indicated that they believed the programme had a positive impact on Nigeria's democratic development. Moreover, the study found that a majority of participants comprehended the content aired on the "Democracy Today" programme. The research in conclusion posits that the opinions of Abuja residents regarding the development of the country's democracy have been significantly influenced by AIT's "Democracy Today" programme. The study recommends the initiation of more programmes similar to "Democracy Today" by broadcast stations in Nigeria, emphasising the potential for broadening Nigerians' knowledge about the country's democratic journey.

Al-Quds Issues in The Media: A Comparative Study of Aqsa T.V. And Palestine T.V. Coverage During the American Embassy Relocating

This article examines the coverage of Al-Quds/Jerusalem issues by Palestinian political parties, FATAH and HAMAS, on their affiliated television channels, Palestine TV and Aqsa TV, respectively. The study aims to investigate the influence of political parties and religious perspectives on the coverage of Al-Quds and determine the significance of Al-Quds as a national issue for Palestinians. The study focuses on the period surrounding the relocation of the American embassy to Al-Quds, from 13 May to 19 May 2018, where 24 Arabic news broadcasts were collected. The study utilizes the Agenda Setting Theory to analyze the role of Aqsa TV in shaping public opinion and perceptions of Al-Quds. Through content analysis of prime-time news broadcasts from both channels during a specific week, the findings reveal differences in the prioritized topics, placement within the news, media formats employed, and duration of coverage. Palestine TV emphasizes the civil aspects of Al-Quds from a national perspective. At the same time, Aqsa TV highlights the religious significance of the Islamic-Jewish conflict. The study concludes that the news coverage of Al-Quds reflects the political agendas of FATAH and HAMAS and suggests further research on the contrasting portrayals of Al-Quds issues in Palestinian and Israeli media.

Patient-clinician collaboration in making care fit: A qualitative analysis of clinical consultations in diabetes care

ObjectiveTo confirm described dimensions of making care fit and explore how patients and clinicians collaborate to make care fit in clinical practice. MethodsAs part of an ongoing study, we audiotaped and transcribed patient-clinician consultations in diabetes care. We purposively selected consultations based on participants’ demographical, biomedical and biographical characteristics. We analysed transcripts using reflexive thematic analysis. We combined a deductive and inductive approach, using the pre-described dimensions of making care fit and adding new (sub-)dimensions when pertinent. ResultsWe analysed 24 clinical consultations. Our data confirmed eight previously described dimensions and provided new sub-dimensions of making care fit with examples from clinical practice (problematic situation, influence of devices, sense of options, shared agenda setting, clinician context, adapting to changing organization of care, and possibility to reconsider). ConclusionOur study confirmed, specified and enriched the conceptualization of making care fit through practice examples. We observed patient-clinician collaboration in exploration of patients’ context, and by responsively changing, adapting or maintaining care plans. Practice implicationsOur findings support clinicians and researchers with insights in important aspects of patient-clinician collaboration. Ultimately, this would lead to optimal design of care plans that fit well in each patient life.

Evaluating the Impact of Internet Users' Emotional Tendencies on Opinion Dynamics through Computer-Assisted Sentiment Analysis of Texts

- Internet communication is characterised by "non-linear flow" and "unorganised aggregation," and computer-assisted text sentiment analysis is an important means of evaluating the impact of netizens' emotions on the dynamics of public opinion. The uncertainty, anonymity, disorder, and blindness inherent in fast-gathering and fast-dispersing Internet communication drive the continuous generation of texts, which has an important impact on public opinion. In order to study this issue in depth, this paper chooses two text types of "popular Weibo" and "popular topics" in Sina Weibo as the object of study and analyses the issue in detail from the two dimensions of agenda construction and agenda setting. In the process of the study, the required text data were collected through Python, and the theoretical assumptions were verified with text analysis methods to explore the influence of text sentiment bias on opinion diffusion, with a view to providing new insights and references for the application of the theory of opinion diffusion and the field of computational diffusion.

From Scientific Journals to Newspapers in Spain: Interest in Disinformation (2000–2023)

As disinformation has become a topic of conversation in the media in recent years, the theory of agenda setting is once again making its presence known. The aim of this research is to verify the degree of interest in disinformation by the media (mainstream press) and in academic writing (scientific communication journals) according to frequency and whether or not such disinformation can be observed in the field of science. The primary research has been carried out through quantitative content analysis of three Spanish newspapers (El País, Abc, El Mundo) and 32 Spanish scientific communication journals included in the SJR-SCImago Journal Rank database from the year 2000 to 2023. The results were 732 units of analysis. From those, it can be concluded that once again, the pandemic represents a before and after. Firstly, a general increase in disinformation has been observed, as well as a corresponding rise in false information in certain fields of science, especially that of health. Secondly, a gradual increase in public interest in disinformation has also been detected, which indicates that the issue is on the agenda of both the media and citizens.

Research on the Psychological Growth Path of College Students from the Perspective of Discontinuity and Balance Theory

Mental health education is an integral component of ideological and political education, serving as a cornerstone in promoting campus harmony and stability. From the discontinuity and balance theory perspective, the agenda setting is closely intertwined with pertinent psychological policies, implementation strategies, and pathways for psychological growth. By attending to the psychological growth issues and information of college students sequentially, ideological and political workers collaborate with psychology experts, we-media platforms, as well as relevant psychological organizations and associations to collectively influence policy-making processes while promoting policy development changes and enhancing the effectiveness of policy implementation. Empirical research findings systematically demonstrate that the mental growth status of college students exhibits positive correlations with variables such as their emotional difficulties, carriers for disseminating psychological work propaganda, peer counselors’ working modes, ripple effects from network hot events, and learning outcomes from online courses. This paper explores practical endeavours and innovative attempts towards constructing an atmosphere conducive to mental health education, promoting equilibrium within psychological educational policies, and enhancing educational outcomes for college students.

The Island's Call for Justice: NGO Advocacy in the Climate Litigation Case of Pari Island in Indonesia

Climate injustice has become a prominent issue following the Paris Agreement, where emissions generated by developed countries burden local communities in developing countries. Consequently, one of the efforts to address climate injustice for communities in the Global South is through climate litigation processes. The process itself is a challenging one since the litigants need support legally and politically to ensure it has proceeded. Here, non-governmental organisation’s (NGO) engagement is the most feasible support that local communities can access. This article analyzes the dynamics of climate justice attempts through a unique case study: climate litigation between residents of Pulau Pari, a small island located in the Java Sea, Indonesia, and the cement giant Holcim-LaFarge in Switzerland. This climate litigation is advocated by three collaborating NGOs: HEKS (Switzerland), ECCHR (Germany), and WALHI (Indonesia). Using a qualitative method, we analyze the role of NGO advocacy in the litigation process using the advocacy function concept by Joseph Szarka; issue framing, construction and dissemination of knowledge, responsibility attribution, political lobbying, public mobilization and agenda setting. We argue that the advocacy support of the three related NGOs amplified the climate litigation process beyond legal proceedings. The strategy of advocating climate litigation is an innovative way to create wider recognition from the international community and push adaptation to the struggle of the local community.

Cultural biases, agenda setting, and the regulation of policy processes

Cultural biases, agenda setting, and the regulation of policy processes

Use of mobile hospitals to improve access to health services and promote primary health care: lessons from Zambia (2011-2018).

Mobile hospitals play a critical role in serving difficult to access populations. In 2011, they were introduced by the Zambian government to improve access to health care. However, little is known about and/or documented about their use in Zambia, and other similar settings where people rely on them to access critical health care, or have to travel long distances to the nearest health centre. To understand the use of mobile hospitals in Zambia and share lessons on their implementation that may be useful for similar settings. It describes their design, implementation, and challenges. The qualitative research employed document review, key informant interviews with 15 respondents, and observation of the operations of the mobile hospitals in the field. The research finds that while they help to reduce inequities associated with accessing health services, there needs to be careful resource planning and addressing of the major issues in health care such as human resources, infrastructure, and disease prevention before long term use. The research not only highlights conditions that must be considered for the effective implementation of mobile hospitals, but also the need for engagement of various key stakeholders during agenda setting in order to build trust and buy in, which contribute to smoother implementation.

Breaking Agenda Setting Boundaries: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Understanding Salience of Gun Control in the Polarized Public Sphere

ABSTRACT We reexamine agenda setting by analyzing the salience of gun control within diverse U.S. audience groups. Utilizing data spanning from 2015 to 2022, we investigate the impact of traditional media, partisan media coverage, discourse on Twitter (now X), real-world gun-related events, and Google Trends search behavior on the perceived importance of gun control. Our findings indicate that while traditional media and Twitter discourse do not significantly sway the salience of gun control, partisan media coverage and specific information-seeking search behaviors do. Notably, media opposing an audience’s political ideology and searches for gun-related information are influential. The effect of real-world shooting events on issue salience is complex, with shootings influencing liberals, but with conservatives showing an initial decrease in perceived importance. Our approach explains issue salience for all ideological groups quite well and offers the most comprehensive understanding of the interplay between personal experiences, search behaviors, and a polarized media environment in shaping public salience on gun control to date.

A situational analysis of the day-old chicks value chain in Oyo State, Nigeria: Agenda setting for policy reform

Attempts to ensure safety and quality control in the Day-Old Chicks (DOCs) value chain in Nigeria have been perceived to involve some duplicity/multiplicity of roles and/ or responsibilities, putting undue burden on the actors. Therefore, experts’ workshop on the DOCs value chain in Oyo State was implemented by the Innovation Lab for Policy Leadership in Agriculture and Food Security (PiLAF) to provide a guide for agenda setting for building a better industry. The workshop had the dual purpose of (i) undertaking a situational analysis of the DOCs value chain in Oyo State, Nigeria, and (ii) strengthening the policy process to effectively respond to the needs of the DOCs value chain in the state through clearly defined, unambiguous regulations and regulatory processes. Twenty-four experts comprising major actors along the DOCs value chain in Oyo State participated in the workshop. Using brainstorming and consensus building process, participants identified infrastructure and markets (strengths), weak regulatory control and high operating cost (weaknesses); supply gap, and good return on investment (opportunities); including adulteration and sharp practices (threats) as the most important Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) factors influencing or capable of affecting the DOCs industry in the state. The DOCs value chain operators identified National Institute of Animal Science (NIAS) followed by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria as the most visible operators in the DOCs value chain. However, the operators perceived the activities of the regulatory bodies as more geared toward revenue generation than actually enforcing compliance to standard practices in the industry. The value chain actors affirm there are overlaps in some aspects of policy guidelines for the DOCs value chain by the Veterinary Council of Nigeria and NIAS leading to what may be described as double taxation to the disadvantage of the actors. Specifically, registration and licensing, prohibition, and import and export domains are some of the aspects of the policy documents that need some minor modifications for clarity and separation of roles. Key words: Policy, Value chain, Animal Scientist, Chicks, Safety, Poultry industry, Public health, Regulation

The impact and management of internet-based public opinion dissemination during emergencies: A case study of Baidu News during the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency has had a huge impact worldwide. We analyzed news headlines and keywords from the initial period of COVID-19, and explored the dissemination timeline of news related to the epidemic, and the impact of Internet-based media on the public using lifecycle theory and agenda-setting theory. We aimed to explore the impact of Baidu news headlines on public attention during the first wave of COVID-19, as well as the management mechanism of regulatory departments for social public opinion. We searched Baidu News using the keywords "Novel Coronavirus" and "COVID-19" from 8 January to 21 February 2020, a total of 45 days, and used Python V3.6 to extract news samples during the first wave of the epidemic. We used text analysis software to structurally process captured news topics and content summaries, applied VOSviewer V6.19 and Ucinet V6.0 to examine key aspects of the data. We analyzed the impact of Baidu News headlines on social opinion during the first wave of COVID-19 in the budding, spread, and outbreak stage of the information lifecycle. From clustering visualization and social network analysis perspectives, we explored the characteristics of Baidu News during the initial stage of the COVID-19. The results indicated that agenda-setting coverage through online media helped to mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19. The findings revealed that news reporting generated a high level of public attention toward a specific emergency event. The public requires accurate and objective information on the progress of COVID-19 through Baidu News headlines to inform their planning for the epidemic. Meanwhile, government can enhance the management mechanism of news dissemination, correct false and inaccurate news, and guide public opinion in a positive direction. In addition, timely official announcements on the progress of the COVID-19 outbreak and responses to matters of public concern can help calm tensions and maintain social stability.

ISLAMIC EDUCATION POLICY IN ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOLS TO ENCOUNTER THE FLOW OF GLOBALIZATION

<p>This research aims to describe and analyze public policies and Islamic boarding school education policies, especially Law No. 18 of 2019. Apart from that, it also discusses the challenges of Islamic boarding schools in the era of globalization which is the basis for the proposed Islamic boarding school policy formula. This research uses a qualitative approach with types of literature. The literature study was carried out by collecting and analyzing literature related to Islamic boarding school education policies. The research results explain that: (1) public policies related to Islamic boarding school education are contained in Law No. 18 of 2019. This Islamic boarding school law contains Islamic boarding school policy regulations which consist of nine chapters and 55 articles. If concluded, then this law can be categorized into five categories, namely: form of institution, objectives of Islamic boarding schools, funding sources, quality assurance, and level of education; (2) the influence of globalization can have an impact on an apathetic attitude and a culture of laziness for Islamic boarding school cadres in developing their potential. So Islamic boarding school cadres are needed who can develop their potential using science and technology, and (3) the preparation of policy formulas can be carried out using five procedures, namely: agenda setting, policy formulation, policy implementation, policy evaluation, and policy improvement. Thus, it is hoped that this research can become a reference for understanding in-depth educational policies and efforts to formulate Islamic boarding school education policy formula.</p>

Strike While the Iron is Hot: Land Trusts, Temperature Anomalies, and Agenda Setting for Local Open Space Referenda

Abstract Despite substantial progress on understanding the influence of nonprofits in the policy process, the role of nonprofits in local agenda setting remains under-examined. Policy for land conservation is a key plank in climate change mitigation strategies making the role of land trusts in agenda setting for land conservation votes an important topic. Prior studies demonstrate that temperature anomalies increase the likelihood that climate change policy appears on state political agendas. We propose that land trusts play a critical role in facilitating this connection at the local level. Temperature anomalies create a policy window which contributes to the likelihood that conservation measures make it onto the political agenda. Combining temperature, land trust presence, and local conservation vote data from U.S. counties from 2009 to 2019, we find that both temperature anomalies and the presence of land trusts increase the probability that a land conservation measure will appear on the local political agenda. Further, we find that the effect of temperature anomalies on the probability of a vote taking place is conditional on land trust presence within the county. The findings advance existing nonprofit theory on ways in which nonprofits engage in the policy process and hint towards promising avenues of future research. The findings also provide practical evidence for practitioners and hold implications for how local policymakers can leverage existing organizations to implement climate change policy.