NCJ Number
102230
Journal
Public Opinion Quarterly Volume: 49 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1985) Pages: 19-37
Date Published
1985
Length
19 pages
Annotation
A field experiment that examined the effects of media coverage on the setting of policy agendas by the public and by policymakers found that a series of investigative reports about rape had a minimal impact on public opinion and policymaking, but significantly affected the subsequent newspaper coverage of rape.
Abstract
The study used a quasi-experimental design using pretests and posttests to interview 347 Chicago residents and 39 policymakers. The posttest interviews reached 187 of the residents and 37 policymakers. Respondents answered questions both before and after the appearance of a five-part series of articles in the Chicago Sun-Times in 1982. The report had little impact on the attitudes of the public or policymakers. However, it did provide a platform for reannouncing public policy initiatives and reintroducing legislation. The report's main impact was on the subsequent newspaper coverage of rape. The newspaper nearly doubled the number of stories on rape in the 3 months after the series appeared. Findings contrasted with those of a similar previous experiment, which showed that the media coverage did affect public agendas. 11 footnotes, 3 data tables, appendix presenting study instrument, and 29 references.