Influence of the agenda and framing study in the electoral framework of the procés of catalonia

Abstract

Introduction: Moments of convulsion and change define the Catalan political context. The issue of independence monopolizes the media coverage of Spain and the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) notes an unprecedented increase in citizen concern (2017). Methodology: The hybridization between agendas (political, media and public) is analyzed on the basis of a specific sample of 526 tweets of candidates for independence and constitutionalism, 107 press covers and 4 CIS reports, in order to ascertain the equivalence of issues and the effects on the population. Results: The issue of Catalonia is the main topic on Twitter and in the headlines. 29% of Spanish people consider it as the most import electoral issue. At the same time, the frame of conflict is at the heart of the discourse. Discussion and conclusions: The projection of the digital political agenda in the agenda-setting is confirmed, as well as the influence on the decision and priority of matters of public interest, recorded in population polls. This effect is particularly acute in situations of political conflict linked to Catalonia's Independence Process, called ‘Procés’.