Linear and nonlinear models of agenda‐setting in television

Time series analyses of the agenda‐setting function of the mass media suggest that the strength of media effects might vary not only between, but also within issues. This leads to the question of whether the relationship between media and public agenda can be described best with linear or nonlinear models. Two data sets were used to compare linear and nonlinear models: A content analysis of the main German television news shows and 53 weekly surveys on 16 issues. The results indicate that nonlinear models are in some cases superior to the linear model in terms of explained variance. This leads to some theoretical considerations about the nature and the process of agenda setting.