Indexing Theory

Indexing Theory suggests that during news reporting, many media outlets rely on a few key sources—like official officials, government statements, or major organizations—to shape their coverage. This creates an "index" or framework that guides how stories are told. As a result, different media often present similar viewpoints because they are referencing the same core sources. This theory helps explain why news coverage can be consistent across outlets, highlighting how reliance on limited sources influences public perception and the framing of events within the media landscape.