Abstract

This study explored the intermedia agenda-setting influence of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals among news media from different types of countries around the world. Differences in news coverage were examined specifically through the lens of a country's status as a donor of development aid or as a recipient of aid. News articles on the Sustainable Development Goals were collected from 10 news organizations, five of which were based in high-income ("donor") countries, and five were based in low-income ("recipient") countries. This study found that news coverage of the Sustainable Development Goals was significantly greater among recipient countries than donor countries. Significant differences were also found among each donor group, with the United Kingdom and Bangladesh producing the majority of news coverage on the Sustainable Development Goals. The findings demonstrate new applications for both Agenda-Setting Theory and World System Theory, indicating that the salience of global development agendas likely depends more on other factors, like salience and obtrusiveness, rather than on traditional news flow principles.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Dissertations (MA) -- Communication; Environmental management -- Press coverage; Foreign news

Date of Award

2019

School Affiliation

Seaver College

Department/Program

Communication

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Masters

Faculty Advisor

Murrie, Michael

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