Public opinion is not a static, immobile object that holds a constant shape and mass over time. Rather, it is a highly dynamic, fluid process in which people interact and communicate with each other. As a communication process, public opinion is influenced by two main sources-mass media and interpersonal communication. In general, those two main sources are assumed to have influence on public opinion process constantly. However, until recently the studies of public opinion has underestimated the interplay of mass media and interpersonal communication in the process of public opinion formation. The history of communication study shows that most, if not all, communication theories have focused only on the relative strength of the effect of mass media and interpersonal communication, rather than the interplay of the two. This study posits that the study of public opinion should focus on the interplay of mass media and interpersonal communication. In this study Lenart (1994)'s 'total information flow model' was viewed as an excellent example of an integrated model of mass media and interpersonal communication. The model was originally served to explain the information flow in a presidential election campaign but it is argued that the model could apply to the broader process of politics, not to mention the public opinion process. Also argued is that the total information flow model is most relevant for the study of the process of public opinion formation and political participation on internet, which is not only mass media, but also interpersonal communication channel.

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