A COOK, A CARDINAL, HIS PRIESTS, AND THE PRESS - DEVIANCE AS A TRIGGER FOR INTERMEDIA AGENDA-SETTING

Certain events, seen as newsworthy because they involve deviance, serv e as triggers for intermedia agenda setting on side issues with very s pecific results in terms of both volume and valence of ensuing stories , not directly related to the triggering events themseves. his content analysis examines one such case. Media reports of deviant acts by mem bers of the clergy have risen dramatically in recent years. This study examines the changes in trends, in the aftermath of deviant acts by i ndividual members of the clergy, given that such acts are ''triggering events'' for further negative stories.