Examines the process through which a fear appeal transforms low-involvement audiences into active publics. Analyzes cognitive and emotional responses of uninvolved viewers to a film on environmental contamination, together with coping strategies used to deal with the threat. Concludes that cognition and affect mediate viewers' responses to a…

Reviews the events, studies, and comments (from 1960 to the present) regarding the controversial question of who won the first 1960 televised debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon. Supports the view that, for television viewers, Kennedy was the winner, whereas radio listeners gave Nixon the edge. (SR)

Provides data from a study indicating that a majority of U.S. adults see others as more adversely affected by pornography than they themselves (consistent with third-person perception research). Finds that peoples' support for pornography restrictions parallels the discrepancy they perceive between effect on self and effect on others. (PA)

Analyzed China's foremost party organ, the "People's Daily," during 1979-80 to find out what changes have occurred with regard to media images of the U.S. since the normalization of the Sino-U.S. relationship. Noted a more favorable portrayal of the U.S.--at the expense of the Soviet Union. (PD)

Presents a study of the effects of the presidential debates in the 1976 election on the awareness of political issues. Concludes that the primary effect was to widen the gap between the knowledge-rich and the knowledge-poor. (JMF)

Analyzes 830 television spots from 8 presidential campaigns. Shows that the "negativism" charged to the 1988 campaign is actually at the same level as the two previous campaigns. Finds that what tends to differentiate negative from positive ads is not party or incumbency but a more frequent appeal to voters' fears. (PRA)

Argues for the importance of the classical tradition (broad, speculative, and historically informed writing and research) in public opinion research. Argues that asking large, normative questions about public opinion processes, trying to build grand theory, and taking history seriously will enrich the field and command the attention of scholars in…

Discusses a number of new books that signal a revival of interest in the role of propaganda as a tool of mass persuasion. Relates the political uses of this revival to modern concerns about public opinion and advertising. (JD)

Discusses the common practice within the media of relying on a few "science celebrities," rather than specialists conducting relevant research, for their scientific information. Cites the marijuana controversy as an example of this situation. (JMF)

Suggests that United States history contains many incidents of violence directed against news media and their personnel. Provides historical examples of four patterns of violent activity against the media: (1) personal assaults; (2) majoritarian; (3) antigroup; and (4) inclusionary violence. Notes a contemporary view of the media as mainstream and…

This study of journalist, public, and legislator responses to televised sessions of the Florida legislature is part of a symposium on legislative and judicial communications. (CH)

Analyzes reactions to naturally occurring radon in New Jersey. Suggests that successful risk communication must bridge the gap between focusing on hazard information and using the potential for public "outrage" as an important motivation to action. (NKA)

Found that, after Argentina, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, and Turkey hired U. S. public relations consultants, their news image in the "New York Times" improved in positive coverage and portrayal as more cooperative nations. (PD)

Discusses the concepts of political myths and rituals which guide the formation of public opinion and policy and their uses in political communication. (JMF)

Presents a study to determine the effects of inherent structural dimensions of network television news, such as story placement and visual treatment, on campaign agendas as perceived by their audiences. Results suggest that some inherent structural biases in the coverage of the 1976 campaign produced nonpurposive effects in perceptions of the…