ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the evolution of the relationship between Members of Congress and the media, paying particular attention to what Members of Congress hope to gain from media coverage. It examines what studies tell us about the way national and local media cover Congress and the subsequent challenges congressional members face in getting and shaping coverage. The chapter also looks at developments in how members have responded to these challenges and the determinants of their success. It considers the impact of media on congressional members' ability to gain and influence media attention. The chapter suggests that the media have the upper hand in determining if and how to cover Congress, the members have become much more adept at playing the hand they are dealt to become more effective in negotiating their newsworthiness. The media have become a more important means of communication in Congress; members have put more emphasis on developing media relations and devoting resources to them.
