Do the media set the parliamentary agenda? A comparative study in seven countries

TLDR

Research has explored whether media set the agenda for politics or vice versa, but comparative evidence across countries has been lacking. The study used a comparative, longitudinal design with media and political data from seven European countries to identify generic agenda‑setting patterns. Results show that in single‑party systems the media more strongly inspire political action, whereas in multiparty systems government parties are more reactive to media coverage.

Abstract

A growing body of work has examined the relationship between media and politics from an agenda-setting perspective: Is attention for issues initiated by political elites with the media following suit, or is the reverse relation stronger? A long series of single-country studies has suggested a number of general agenda-setting patterns but these have never been confirmed in a comparative approach. In a comparative, longitudinal design including comparable media and politics evidence for seven European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom), this study highlights a number of generic patterns. Additionally, it shows how the political system matters. Overall, the media are a stronger inspirer of political action in countries with single-party governments compared to those with multiple-party governments for opposition parties. But, government parties are more reactive to media under multiparty governments.