This study examines the influence of media on foreign policy in Belgium. Previous research in the US suggests that media impacts the presidential agenda. Yet, this effect was only found on speeches, a mainly rhetorical agenda. This study investigates the effects of media on the governmental agenda in Belgium using both a substantial policy measure, i.e. Ministerial Council decisions, and a rhetorical one – press releases. First, the relationship between media and government is examined on all foreign policy-related issues (30 total). Subsequently, this relationship is compared across the different ‘subpolicies’, varying from very sensational (e.g. war) to more governmental issues (e.g. European affairs). The goal is to understand why governments react to certain events while ignoring others. Moreover, this study takes into account the different degrees to which a government can act by distinguishing between effective action and mere rhetoric.
