Media Relations Media have always been an important element in the cycle of shaping public opinion. They decide which topics are on the agenda or not and who is given broadcasting time or publishing space. By featuring certain points of view and neglecting others media have the ability to influence public opinion and thus also political decision-making to a significant extent. Therefore, besides educational and publishing programs, media are an essential element in the dissemination strategy of think tanks. To spread their respective ideology they provide print media with masses of op-ed's and their top staff regularly appears on television and radio shows as political advisers or policy experts. Table: Media Citations: Spectrum of Major U.S. Think Tanks Think Tank Ideology Media Citations 1995 Media Citations 1996 Media Citations 1997 U.S. Conservative or right-leaning 7792 (51 %) 7706 (54 %) 7733 (53 %) U.S. Centrist 6361 (42 %) 4392 (30 %) 4623 (32 %) U.S. Progressive or left-leaning 1152 (7 %) 2177 (15 %) 2267 (16 %) Total 15305 14212 14623

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