MANILA -- Irrespective of ideological leanings, all politicians are keen on receiving media coverage. As one U.S. political campaign publication noted, "If you don't exist in the media, you don't exist."
Although democratic elections should be about political choices, in most countries they are basically popularity contests. And popularity comes from media exposure.
While studies dealing with political communication in specific countries fill entire libraries, very few comparative studies have been made on the way politicians communicate with audiences across national borders. Thus a recent international workshop held in Manila on political communication for political parties in Asia was enlightening.