@p Same. I asked another bot and it gave the same explanation. I think Reuters used weird wording, making it sound as if parties directly mandate what's on the news lol

The second explanation
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"Setting the news agenda" here refers to the ability to influence what political and social issues dominate public discourse by using institutional power, in this case, parliamentary committees of inquiry. These committees can investigate government actions, summon witnesses, and generate media coverage, shaping what topics receive attention and how they are framed. If a party like the AfD secures enough seats to form such committees, they can push their preferred narratives into the mainstream, forcing other parties and media to engage with them, even if only to respond or refute. This is a significant tool for political influence, even if the party remains excluded from government.