Agenda-setting in the press: case of Russia`s WTO accession

The article is devoted to the analysis of the debate in the press of Russia's WTO accession. The author analyzes 397 articles published in the Russia's press for 3 years (from December 2010 to December 2013). The sample was based on the TPR ranking of press. The author concludes about the causes of fluctuations in the number of references to the organization in the Russian press, popularity of certain arguments of supporters and opponents of joining the «world trade club», impact of the discussion in the media on the public's attention to the WTO and the assessment of the prospects of Russia's membership in this organization. Following factors were highlighted as important for agenda-setting in the press: external circumstances (especially stage of the negotiation process and economic situation), the presence of «competing issues», interests of the audience, positions of groups participated in discussion and their activity in the media.