Which theory postulates that media disseminate information that is not available through personal networks?

The correct answer is Media Dependency Theory. This theory emphasizes the role of media in providing information that individuals cannot access through their personal networks. It suggests that as people become more dependent on mediated communication for information, especially in situations where personal experience is limited or unavailable, the media's influence over beliefs and behaviors increases. This dynamic is particularly relevant in crisis situations or when the audience lacks direct experience with a topic.

While Diffusion Theory focuses on how innovations are communicated and adopted within social systems, it does not specifically address the media's role in providing information absent from personal networks. Framing Theory pertains to how media shapes the interpretation and perception of issues by presenting them in particular ways, but it does not speak directly to the dissemination of information lacking in personal connections. Agenda Setting Theory, on the other hand, deals with the media's ability to influence the salience of topics in public discourse, dictating what people think about, rather than filling gaps in personal information networks.