The media, public opinion and population assistance: establishing the link.

Abstract

This article establishes the link between the media public opinion and population assistance. It presents a synopsis of trends in global population assistance and examines the issue-attention cycle as a means of explaining how issues attract the notice of the media and the public as well as why media reporting public opinion and government responses to global population issues differ. Much of the evidence comes from the US which has been the main source of leadership and resources for population assistance and has well-documented democratic processes and global population concerns. Overall it is noted that through their wavering interest in global population questions the media have played an undervalued role in determining global funding trends for population assistance. The evidence suggests a strong link between donor governments funding for population assistance and media coverage of global population issues in developed countries. Media focus on population matters influence public opinion which in turn influence politicians in developed countries. Therefore its not surprising that donor government support for population assistance increased in years of heightened media attention and public support.