What determines how well an issue resonates with a public according to agenda-setting theory?

The correct choice is issue salience, which refers to the degree to which an issue is perceived as important, urgent, or relevant by a particular public. Agenda-setting theory posits that the media doesn't tell people what to think, but rather what to think about. This means that the importance assigned to an issue can be influenced by how prominently it is featured in media coverage, affecting public perception and prioritization.

When an issue has high salience, it is more likely to grab attention and be prioritized in public discourse, leading individuals to view it as significant in their lives and communities. This concept highlights the relationship between media emphasis on certain issues and the way those issues gain traction among diverse audiences.

In contrast, issue significance refers more to the inherent importance of a topic, while issue relevance focuses on the connection of an issue to the specific interests or experiences of a public. Issue clarity involves how clearly an issue is defined or understood by the audience. While these factors play a role in shaping how an issue is perceived, it is the salience that directly influences its resonance and the likelihood that it will become a central topic of concern for the public.