I've seen plenty of anecdata over the years, including seemingly endless amounts of government and private propoaganda/advertising, that seems to drive public i

I've seen plenty of anecdata over the years, including seemingly endless amounts of government and private propoaganda/advertising, that seems to drive public interest. One of many shameful examples is "war on iraq/weapons of mass destruction" storyline FAIR did a report showing how media coverage drove public opinion. I would guess it also drove increased public interest -- certainly felt like it. also, when there is strong public interest in an issue, we still might not see that issue get mainstream media coverage. One example would be 'lack of healthcare (in america)'. An incredible/horrific situation, almost unique among advanced western economies, richest most powerful nation in the history of the world -- no universal healthcare -- strong public interest -- little to no mainstream media coverage, and certainly not sustained past a political campaign that forces the issue into the media.