Information Control and Imperiled Public Discourse: A General Process Model of Gatekeeping, Agenda Setting, and News Content Homogenization Payne Gregg A., Ph.D. Department of Communication Studies, Chapman University, 1 University Drive, Orange, CA, 92866, USA, 01.714.997.6815, email: gpayne@chapman.edu Abstract This paper is, in part, a response to Gandy’s (1982) recognition of a need to go beyond conventional borders of agenda setting theory, to examine who sets the media agenda, for what purposes, and with what consequences. Conventional conceptual explications of gatekeeping and agenda setting are revisited, and substantive modifications proposed. Theoretical linkages between the two are examined, together with the consequences for homogenization of mass media news content. A general content homogenization model is proposed that provides an explanatory and predictive framework for news analysis; irrespective of dominate social, political, and economic ideology. It is argued that that gatekeeping controls over the agenda setting process produce a homogenized news product that curtails opportunities for robust public discourse. McCombs contention that agenda setting is an inadvertent by product of the mass communication process is problematized (2006). Top Key words gatekeeping, agenda setting, media, news, homogenization, information. Top |