Effects Of Media On The Decisions Made By Governments With Regard To Foreign Policy: A Case Of Kenya’S Ministry Of Foreign Affairs.

Abstract

This research will seek to generate debate on how media has impacted on foreign policy decisions in Kenya. The general objective of this study is to establish the effects of media on foreign policy decisions by the Ministry of Foreign affairs in Kenya and to establish the contribution of public opinion expressed on media to foreign policy decisions. To examine agenda setting by online communities and the significance of media as a communication tool to foreign policy decisions. The study tested three research hypotheses which are: Public opinion expressed on media has significant contribution to foreign policy decisions, Agenda setting by online communities has significant contribution to foreign policy decisions and Media as a communication tool has significant contribution to foreign policy decisions. The findings suggest that individual Kenyans‟ foreign trade policy preferences are quite rational and competent. People subject their international trade policy preferences not only to the information furnished by the news media, but also to their predispositions on national advancement objectives and destinations for Wealth and Employment Creation. While more research is needed to make more generalizable conclusions and to evaluate the impact of various factors in foreign policy agenda-setting, this research provides a basis for further exploration and for inclusion of think tanks into the foreign policy agenda-setting research.