න්‍යාය පත්‍රය සැකසීමේ න්‍යාය

Abstract

Agenda-setting hypothesis is the notion that the more news media emphasize an issue or event, the more importance readers or viewers place on that issue or event. (Demers, 2005, p.18). The primary purpose of agenda-setting theory is to examine the relationship between the media’s emphasis on various issues and the audience’s perception of their importance. The manner in which news media cover events inevitably establishes a hierarchy of media content, known as the media agenda. Media audiences, in turn, rely on this underlying agenda to shape their own perceptions, forming the public agenda. Additionally, scholars have explored the role of the policy agenda, which reflects how media coverage influences policymaking. This study primarily investigates the relationship between the media agenda and the public agenda, contributing to a broader understanding of media influence in shaping public discourse.