A Cook, a Cardinal, His Priests, and the Press: Deviance as a Trigger for Intermedia Agenda Setting

Abstract

Certain events, seen as newsworthy because they involve deviance, serve as triggers for intermedia agenda setting on side issues with very specific results in terms of both volume and valence of ensuing stories, not directly related to the triggering events themseves. This content analysis examines one such case. Media reports of deviant acts by members of the clergy have risen dramatically in recent years. This study examines the changes in trends, in the aftermath of deviant acts by individual members of the clergy, given that such acts are “triggering events” for further negative stories.