According to agenda setting theory, the news media are selective when reporting the news, and, as a result, much of reality is not covered by the media. Explain the four step framing process used by media gatekeepers. Give an example to illustrate each concept.

What will be an ideal response?

Agenda setting theory proposes that media gatekeepers frame the news to create certain effects for the audience. The four steps in framing are: (1) selection--which stories are chosen to make the news? (2) emphasis--what aspects of the story are focused on? (3) elaboration--what aspect of the story is expanded or given more detail? and (4) exclusion--what pieces of the story were omitted? Examples of the framing process will vary by student but should clearly show evidence of each concept.