Max McCombs is Jesse H. Jones Centennial Chair in Communication at the School of Journalism, University of Texas at AustinR. Lance Holbert is Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the School of Communication, Ohio State University Spiro Kiousis is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Relations, University of FloridaWayne Wanta is Professor and Chair of the Department of Journalism, University of Florida

• INTRODUCTIONChapter 1. What Is Public Opinion? PART ONE: THE NEWS MEDIAChapter 2. A Changing Communication Environment Chapter 3. Reporting the News Chapter 4. Trust in the NewsPART TWO: SETTING THE CIVIC STAGEChapter 5. The Audiences for News Chapter 6. Focusing Public Attention Chapter 7. Learning from the News Chapter 8. Forming Opinions Chapter 9. Tone of the News Chapter 10. Political Behavior Chapter 11. What Citizens Bring to the News Chapter 12. News Influence on Civic LifePART THREE: COMING TO JUDGMENTChapter 13. Assessing the Role of News in Civic LifeBibliographyIndex

"A well-written book which shows that the classical triangle of news media, politics and public opinion still has a strong mutual influence."Political Studies Review"This book is a masterful treatment of the relationship between news and public opinion. The authors examine the changing media environment, including entertainment news and blogs. The book looks at both process and effects (outcomes). The book is an important contribution to the literature on this vitally important topic."William Benoit, Ohio University "Unquestionably, The News and Public Opinion would be my first choice if asked to recommend a single book about the interface between news stories and the public's political views. This brief study is amazingly comprehensive in its range of topics and depth of analysis. The clear, smooth prose makes it a joy to read."Doris Graber, University of Illinois at Chicago"This concise and readable volume by one of the founders of media agenda-setting research and his noted colleagues reviews an impressive amount of research on today's changing communication environment and its influence on public opinion, knowledge, and political participation. As such, it will be valuable and accessible to all interested in these subjects for years to come!"David Weaver, Indiana University-Bloomington