CRITIQUE OF THE MEDIA

Among 230 citizens surveyed in the Midwest by Georgetown University, more than 4 out of 5 agreed on a number of criticisms regarding media coverage of election campaigns. Among them:

* The overuse of sound bites, rather than longer, substantive comments from candidates.

* Overuse of public-opinion polls and ``horse-race'' stories.

* Excessive focus on conflict, scandal, and celebrity topics.

* Predicting winners before voters have their say.