ABSTRACT
This chapter examines selected measures of public concern for or interest in environmental issues, noting the long-term parallels between public opinion and media coverage regarding the environment. It discusses some of the major approaches which have been used for researching media influence on public and political opinion and political decision-making. The chapter provides the evidence on media influence produced by major approaches such as agenda-setting research, framing analysis and cultivation analysis. It explores the referencing and use of 'media coverage' for rhetorical and political purposes in public environmental controversy, arguing that this can be seen as an important type of 'effect' or influence, albeit one much less commonly thought of in general discourse on media influence. The chapter also discusses some of the major frameworks which have been used for examining media influence on public understanding, public opinion and political decision-making.
