The role of agenda melding in measuring news media literacy

Abstract

During the past few decades, educators, advocates and researchers have developed initiatives to increase news media literacy. Recent surveys indicate that audiences combine agendas from various media to suit their own needs through group discussion. This process is called “agenda melding.” Agenda melding includes the “need for orientation” function in a social context that acknowledges that the perceived importance of news issues changes in relation to their discussions with others. Using an online survey instrument with a sample of young adults, this study measures the level of news media literacy in young adults and examines the relationship between news media literacy, mindfulness, locus of control, and agenda melding. This study sought to determine whether relationships exist between the agenda melding process and news media literacy. Findings suggest that participation in the agenda melding process is associated with increases in levels of news media literacy.