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

2016/02/15 by Rens Vliegenthart, Stefaan Walgrave, Frank R. Baumgartner +12 · 189 citations
Business, Management and Accounting · Social Sciences · #Computer science #Media Studies and Communication #Political Influence and Corporate Strategies #Political science #Set (abstract data type) #Social Media and Politics

paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/1475-6765.12134

published in European Journal of Political Research 55(2), 283-301 (Wiley)

openalex publication_date 2016/02/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

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.

Citations

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