Abstract:

The article focuses on exposure of 54 members of the Israeli Knesset, competing for media coverage. Tangibly, political power provides legislators with the ability to create newsworthy events, access to important and interesting information, and easy access to reporters, who routinely cover the offices the powerful legislators hold. Other variables that have been linked to leaders' publicity can be categorized under the heading of "media skills." The studies demonstrate that media coverage of legislators is influenced by more "macro" variables, such as the political and media cultures in which the competition over publicity is taking place and changes in the political environment.