The agenda-setting theory, the mass media frenzy, and Hurricane Katrina

The impacts of media effects and agenda-setting have been the subject of debate since the inception of television news programming in the mid-twentieth century. McCombs and Shaw (1972) assert that mass communication may have modest direct effects on opinions and attitudes, and can set the agenda people think about. Their studies and my own personal experiences have prompted me to examine if media exposure (no matter how accurate or inaccurate) does correlate with memory of events transpired, specifically with Hurricane Katrina. This study particularly examines how the Agenda-Setting theory played a role in the reporting of the event and if people only remember what was given the most coverage time. Two questionnaires were given to students at the University of Wyoming to see if memory strength did indeed correlate with prominent coverage. Results indicate that agenda-setting effects are long term (this study is 5 years after prominent coverage has ended), and that new media and old media have the same effects.