Final answer:
National defense receives the most media attention in the federal government.
Step-by-step explanation:
The aspect of the federal government that receives the most media attention is national defense. According to Figure 17.3, national defense accounts for a significant portion of federal spending, with roughly 60% of the total budget allocated to this category. The media focuses on topics such as military actions, defense policy, and international relations, which contributes to the high level of attention given to this aspect of the federal government.