Articles
Author: Lotte Melenhorst
The media are a much-discussed subject in both the scientific and the public debate on the functioning of democracy. Nevertheless, there is relatively little empirical research on the effects of med ia on the most fundamental aspect of polities: the legislative process. However, this type of research is important because it helps us gain insight into the influence journalists exert. This study analyses the influence of media attention for bills on the leg islative process in the Netherlands. A quantitative analysis of the newspaper coverage for recently discussed bills indicates that the parliamentary process is influenced by this coverage. This first study of media-effects on the Dutch legislative process suggests that more media-attention leads to the introduction of more amendments by both members of government and members of parliament.
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How to Cite: Melenhorst, L. (2013) “De wetgevende macht van de media ? : Een kwantitatieve analyse van media-effecten op de behandeling van wetsvoorstellen”, Res Publica. 55(4).