Written by a distinguished group of authors that includes Walter Cronkite, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, and Kathleen Frankovic, this book explores who should, and who does, influence press coverage of politics in democratic countries. It considers how the media operate as an intermediary for communications between governments and citizens, between various political actors, and even among citizens.

The new is indispensable for students of politics and government and for every reader interested in learning more about how news is made, where the problems and tensions lie, and how they can be corrected.