Connective Power of the Twitter Networks: Discovering the Reverse Agenda-Setting Effects of Hashtag Activism Through Topic Modeling

摘要

The extensive application of social media by the public may signify that the public can play a role in establishing the news media agenda. By rethinking the traditional agenda-setting theory, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether the public agenda of hashtag activism affected the traditional news media reports about the case of the Alton Sterling shooting. By applying topic modeling and qualitative content analysis, this study examined the agenda of the #AltonSterling Twitter network and concludes that reverse agenda-setting effects were identified within the one-day frame between the agendas of the #AltonSterling Twitter network and The New York Times based on high correspondence.