From headline to lifeline: does news set agenda for policy?-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

From headline to lifeline: does news set agenda for policy?

Published:2019-06-10 Issue:4 Volume:21 Page:352-368
ISSN:2398-5038
Container-title:Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance
language:en
Short-container-title:DPRG

Author:

Grzeslo Jenna,Bai Yang,Wang Ryan Yang,Min Bumgi,Jayakar Krishna

Abstract

Purpose This paper is an investigation of the volume, nature and tone of news media coverage of the federal Lifeline Program from its inception to 2018. It aims to examine whether news media coverage is correlated with significant episodes of reform in the program. Design/methodology/approach Using the ProQuest Major Dailies database, articles covering the “Lifeline Program” were analyzed. Specifically, a quantitative codebook was developed, based on the literature, and four coders were trained to systematically analyze the 124 articles that discussed the program between 1985 and 2018. Findings The findings suggest that reforms in the program were preceded by significantly higher volumes of media coverage; however, the analysis is unable to confirm that negative media coverage has a stronger agenda setting effect. In addition, no significant difference was found between positive and negative news stories in their use of research-based information. Originality/value This study is interdisciplinary in its ability to combine policy and journalism studies as a mechanism to understand the relationship between the two forces.

Publisher

Emerald

Subject

Management of Technology and Innovation,Information Systems and Management,Computer Networks and Communications,Information Systems,Management Information Systems

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