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Abstract:
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Newspaper editorial pages play a crucial role in democratic society , serving as forums for informed debate . On major issues such as immigration , many factors are at play when members of an editorial board sit down together to shape the institutional voice of their newspaper . Using the explanatory case study method , the author directly observes editorial board deliberations at the Dallas Morning News , and sheds light on the influences that affect those writers and editors before the paper publishes its formal positions . The thesis finds that many influences exist beyond news judgment . Those influences range from intra -group dynamics and corporate management , to inequality among interest groups and the privileged role that business plays in the policy -making process . Editorial boards utilizing their agenda -setting role must weigh all those factors . Then they must provide a reasoned editorial that will engage readers and hopefully spark further debate . |