This contributors' volume examines the ways in which public opinion affects public policy via the news media. Insofar as the media represent or characterize the public, they represent or frame policy questions and decisions. They convey--accurately or inaccurately--the overall climate of public opinion to policymakers, and are themselves used as evidence of public opinion by policymakers. This work draws together theory and original research concerning the role of the press in shaping public policy and links the fields of journalism, mass communications, and political science.

This work will be of interest to scholars and practitioners in journalism, communications studies, public policy, government, and political science.

J. DAVID KENNAMER is Associate Professor in the School of Mass Communications at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He is also a Research Associate with the Survey Research Laboratory at the University.