Data from interviews with 1,966 potential voters in Summit County, Ohio, in 1972 were analyzed to determine the relationship between political disaffection and reliance on television or newspapers for campaign news. The question that assessed media reliance was "How much do you count on (television/newspapers) to help you make up your mind about whom to vote for in a presidential election--a lot, somewhat, or not at all?" Questions on political attitudes assessed opinions regarding political powerlessness, altruism of politicians, efficacy of the voting process, distrust of politicians, political alienation, and political understanding. Opinions of the 1972 presidential contenders, George McGovern and Richard Nixon, were also assessed. Analysis of the data indicated the following: the greater their reliance on television, the more respondents seemed to feel that politicians were altruistic and trustworthy, that voting was efficacious, and that the candidates had positive images, and the less respondents appeared to feel politically powerless and alienated. Newspaper reliance was associated with the above characteristics to an even greater degree. Television reliance was unrelated to political understanding, while newspaper reliance was positively and significantly associated with it. (GW)