Final answer:
When a specific issue and viewpoint dominate media coverage, it is known as agenda setting. This media function determines which issues are considered significant for public discourse, shaping the perception of what is newsworthy in the process.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a specific issue and point of view dominate mass media coverage, this phenomenon is referred to as agenda setting within the media. Agenda setting is the ability of the news media to influence the importance placed on the topics of the public agenda. If a news item is covered frequently and prominently by the mass media, the audience will regard the issue as more important.
Agenda setting acts as a gatekeeper by deciding which issues deserve public attention. Politicians often leverage media influence to draw attention to certain social or political issues, and propose government programs or policies. Meanwhile, mass media rely heavily on advertising revenues, which may lead to more coverage of topics that are favorable to advertisers and less of those that might challenge the status quo.
By utilizing various genres and narratives, the media instructs audiences on what should be considered newsworthy. This leads to a perception of the world and the positioning of communities within that worldview, aligning with the agendas of political and economic leaders. Conversely, media silence on an issue can prevent it from entering public discourse. For instance, agenda setting can draw needed attention to humanitarian crises, influencing public pressure and governmental response.