The Impact of News Media on Substantial and Symbolic Governmental Reactions to International Events

• In Event: The Role of Media in Politics

Abstract

This study examines the influence of news media on foreign policy in Belgium. Previous US research suggests that media attention impacts the presidential agenda. Yet, this effect was only found on Presidential speeches, a symbolic agenda. This study investigates media effects on the governmental agenda in Belgium using both a substantial policy measure, i.e. Ministerial Council decisions, and a rhetorical one – press releases. First, the relationship between media and government is examined on all foreign policy issues. Subsequently, this relationship is compared across the different ‘subpolicies’, varying from very sensational (e.g. war) to governmental issues (e.g. European affairs). The goal is to understand why governments react to certain events while ignoring others, taking into account the different degrees to which a government can act by distinguishing between effective action and mere rhetoric.

Author

• Jeroen Karl Joly, University of Toronto