Question

What was a political effect of agenda setting by the media in 2008 and 2009 with relation to the financial crisis?

Answer 1

it exerted pressure on the new Obama administration to do something about the crisis

It is one of the media success stories of performing its role as both an informer and channel for pressurizing governments and those in authority to commit to the public good. These has been identified as one of the most important media roles in a democracy.