EXPLORING FDRS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PRESS - A HISTORICAL AGENDA-SETTING STUDY

This historical agenda-setting study examined the extent to which Fran klin Roosevelt's issue agenda, as expressed in his first seven State o f the Union speeches, correlated with subsequent coverage in seven maj or newspapers and the degree to which newspaper coverage correlated wi th FDR's issue agenda. While past works have emphasized Roosevelt's ab ility to influence media coverage, this study suggests that Roosevelt reacted to previous coverage more than he influenced subsequent covera ge. Past researchers contend that Roosevelt's strong support early in his first term deteriorated subsequently. By contrast, our study found stronger correlations between FDR's issue agenda and subsequent cover age later in his presidency. FDR reacted to, rather than influenced, c overage in newspapers he read and influenced coverage in newspapers he did not read. Roosevelt's issue agenda posted stronger correlations f or the papers that supported him than those that opposed him. This stu dy suggests, then, that historical conditions, amount of exposure to t he newspaper, and political leanings of the newspaper are contingent c onditions influencing the agenda-setting process and should be conside red in future agenda-setting studies.