Twitter and the Agenda-Setting theory: messages from the digital public opinion

Abstract

This paper aims to test whether or not the AgendaSetting theory is still applicable in the growing digital environment; particularly within the context of social media as a category where the social network Twitter is included. The research starts from the consideration that Twitter has become a reflection of the public agenda. Thus, analyze which issues matter most to Spanish users is essential to determine if traditional media establishes the topics most discussed by users of Twitter Spain, understanding them as public opinion. This research has found that there is a strong correspondence between the media agenda and the public agenda shown in Twitter.