Media Tenor compares the relationship between Reality and the Media's selection of Reality and the influence of these on Public perception. Its applied Agenda Setting research has proven that media shapes peoples' minds, especially those with no direct connection to newsworthy events. Consequently, topics not discussed in the media have proven to be irrelevant or less relevant to the public.

Agenda Setting Theory

According to the agenda-setting theory, first developed by Prof. Maxwell McCombs and Prof. Donald Shaw in their Chapel Hill study (1968), mass media sets the agenda for public opinion by highlighting certain issues. In studying the way political campaigns were covered in the media, Shaw and McCombs found that the main effect of the news media was to set an agenda, i.e. to tell people not what to think, but what to think about as opposed to persuasion or attitude change. Agenda setting is usually referred to as a function of mass media and not a theory (McCombs & Shaw, 1972).

According to the agenda-setting theory, first developed by Prof. Maxwell McCombs and Prof. Donald Shaw in their Chapel Hill study (1968), mass media sets the agenda for public opinion by highlighting certain issues. In studying the way political campaigns were covered in the media, Shaw and McCombs found that the main effect of the news media was to set an agenda, i.e. to tell people not what to think, but what to think about as opposed to persuasion or attitude change. Agenda setting is usually referred to as a function of mass media and not a theory (McCombs & Shaw, 1972).

the mass media is a huge phenomenon. Through the various different platforms, print or broadcast, the media is able to reach millions of people like no other force. Without the media, powerful speeches by politicians would affect no one, local events would remain local, and performances by great actors would be seen only by the people in the immediate audience. The media overcomes distances, and builds a direct relationship with the audience. Many sociologists have attempted to explore what effects this has on society, and how the media fits in to our social network. Through many programmes of research, including focus groups, surveys, questionnaires, clinical studies and plain hypothesising, a number of models describing the media's relationship with audiences have been drawn up.

happy mothers' day

MOTHERS’ DAY
A mother who cares
A mother who loves
A mother who shares
A mother who gives
That’s how are mothers are
Keeping us in their uterus for nine good months
Delivering us through pain. Some live and others die
Though others neglect their children, most of them with care genuinely cater for them
If time is due to celebrate them, then I would not hesitate to proceed.
I use this opportunity to congratulate our lovely mothers as well as mother Ghana
May they live to enjoy the fruit of their labor. God bless you mothers.
HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY
JOSEPHINE ARABA AIDOO
GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM
ACCRA

something under strenths and weaknesses of agenda setting theory before researching into details

Strengths And Weaknesses Of Theory
It has explanatory power because it explains why most people prioritize the same issues as important. It also has predictive power because it predicts that if people are exposed to the same media, they will feel the same issues are important. Its meta-theoretical assumptions are balanced on the scientific side and it lays groundwork for further research. Furthermore, it has organizing power because it helps organize existing knowledge of media effects.
There are also limitations, such as media users may not be as ideal as the theory assumes. People may not be well-informed, deeply engaged in public affairs, thoughtful and skeptical. Instead, they may pay only casual and intermittent attention to public affairs and remain ignorant of the details. For people who have made up their minds, the effect is weakened. News media cannot create or conceal problems; they may only alter the awareness, priorities and salience people attached to a set of problems. Research has largely been inconclusive in establishing a causal relationship between public salience and media coverage.

WHAT I THINK ABOUT THE USES AND GRATIFICATION: HOW I USE THE MEDIA

We use the media to satisfy our needs and wants.
Needs: the basic necessities of life. something you cannot do without.
want: a form of human need that is shaped by our culture, individual preference and personality.
i use the media to be updated with the happenings around me and the world as a whole.
sometimes most of the things i watch, read or hear on the media influence me both negatively and positively.
for instance, i buy mirror on Saturdays because i am much interested in the center, the attire and styles sewed by designers. if i am interested in a particular attire, i sew some for myself or purchase it.
also, i listen to BBC news almost everyday and believe their sources of news are very professional and always true. when there was rumors that there would be earth tumor, until BBC said there would be nothing like that, i was peacefully sleeping.aftre listening to their news, i try to mutate them by talking like them.
the media also educate me with their fascinating programmes, example, brilliant science and maths quiz, what do you know?, Zain African challenge and talented kids. they also inform me through the news bulletin, counsels me with their inspirational hour with Ota Bill, Pastor Chris and others.
i am also addicted to certain programmes like second chance, storm over paradise and others...i even behave like some major characters who portray good roles.
the media has a lot of impact on others especially me.