Rucht (forthcoming) argues that stark generalizations about media and movements are difficult to support, as different protest eras have been characterized by different media patterns. Gamson (2001) observes that media coverage of collective action movements even varies considerably from issue to issue. Finally, media access also varies with the public communication strategies and organization models adopted by cause movements, as indicated in a comparative analysis of abortion discourse in Germany and the United States (Feree, Gamson, Gerhards, and Rucht, 2002). Adding to the theoretical challenge of generalizing about patterns of media power is the core question of just what we mean.
