The interplay that exists between the mass media and political activity provides the topic for this report of an informal dialogue between William R. Carmack, from the University of Oklahoma, and Joseph S. Foote, press secretary to Carl Albert, Speaker of the House of Representatives. The first section of the report relates Carmack's opening statement dealing with the reciprocal nature of mass media and politics in which he asserted that the impact of the media on politicians and politics has had five effects: politicians must be consistent on issues, the balance of exposure between incumbents and those seeking office has been somewhat regulated, candidates have been forced to confront one another directly in debate, glamor has been highlighted at the expense of issues, and candidates can sometimes grandstand for the press. Carmack also stated that politics and politicians have affected the media through increased government control of mass communication, the growth of editorial reporting, and the birth of investigative reporting. The second section of the report presents the subsequent dialogue that developed between Carmack, Foote, and members of the audience. (MAI)