agenda setting using the media's ability, functions to raise the importance of an issue in the public's mind simply through repeated news coverage. the act of priming in which the media attend to some issues over others, also alter the standards by which people evaluate the issue. 
very recently, while I was watching random videos on youtube, I had by chance, encountered a video regarding Miley Cyrus and her twitter account. out of curiosity, I clicked on the video to watch it, and it struck me right then and there that the media is really much more influential that I had bother to give credit to. surely, a non-significant action like shutting down your twitter account will never be buzz-worthy. but it was different for Miley Cyrus. because the moment she shuts down her twitter account, it became Entertainment News; E! worthy in mere minutes. it was like a worldwide phenomenon, with more than hundreds of different videos reporting on this seemingly insignificant news. yet, after all that videos, and reports, the idea of the news being an important one has been planted into the public's mind. soon, everyone was talking about it, discussing it, giving their opinions, even raising an issue. even the recent natural disasters which struck several different countries haven’t gotten as much feedback from the public, due to its lack of 'priming' by the media. although, i'd have to say that media influences do depend largely on the direct experiences the public has been exposed to, with the issue addressed. for many, disasters occurring in other countries do not even worry the minority because most people living in the countries not affected by the earthquakes or floods, will be exposed to only obtrusive issues; which has only limited effect.
as for Miley Cyrus's case, being a renowned pop star has made news and gossips regarding her life, an unobtrusive issue to the public. and in knowing the effect of a juicy celebrity gossip, the media has taken the initiative to report more on them, creating a louder volume of news coverage on the issue. additionally, the tone in which the media has used to address this issue elicited a lot of discussions and received a lot of feedbacks. likewise, the tones used, suggesting surprise, shock and disbelief has triggered a lot of responses from the public, each with a different stand. some are angry and irritated with the amount of coverage it was receiving, some are sad Miley Cyrus decided to leave twitter, and others are just plain sarcastic about the whole idea of people making a big fuss out of something so small. yet, despite where you stand, what you say, you are still contributing to more discussions in others; just like what i'm doing now. here's an example of how people are expressing their views on this issue....
finally, there's also the salience. the nature of this news being a celebrity gossip has elevated the interest of the public. moreover, the fact that it was one concerning a pop star, named 'America's favourite' has earned this coverage more publicity worth than it deserved. and the biggest catch was the reason behind her deletion of her twitter account, whether it was true or just another made-up reason, it was regarding her intimate interpersonal relationship and how it had affected her decision. with all that aspects tackled by the media, it's no wonder the public was unable to resist the temptations of making comments on all these.
indisputably through all these, the media has proven to have a substantial amount of influence in our lives. perhaps in the near future, you will see hundreds video featured on youtube urging everyone to comment on this blog of mine. when that happens, you know you will not be able to refrain from it. so before I put my freshly acquired 'agenda setting' knowledge to use, you should comment on your own free wills.
