Democracy and the News

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Journalism, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Democracy, Social Science
Cover of the book Democracy and the News by Herbert J. Gans, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Herbert J. Gans ISBN: 9780190288013
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: February 6, 2003
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Herbert J. Gans
ISBN: 9780190288013
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: February 6, 2003
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

American democracy was founded on the belief that ultimate power rests in an informed citizenry. But that belief appears naive in an era when private corporations manipulate public policy and the individual citizen is dwarfed by agencies, special interest groups, and other organizations that have a firm grasp on real political and economic power. In Democracy and the News, one of America's most astute social critics explores the crucial link between a weakened news media and weakened democracy. Building on his 1979 classic media critique Deciding What's News, Herbert Gans shows how, with the advent of cable news networks, the internet, and a proliferation of other sources, the role of contemporary journalists has shrunk, as the audience for news moves away from major print and electronic media to smaller and smaller outlets. Gans argues that journalism also suffers from assembly-line modes of production, with the major product being publicity for the president and other top political officials, the very people citizens most distrust. In such an environment, investigative journalism--which could offer citizens the information they need to make intelligent critical choices on a range of difficult issues--cannot flourish. But Gans offers incisive suggestions about what the news media can do to recapture its role in American society and what political and economic changes might move us closer to a true citizen's democracy. Touching on questions of critical national importance, Democracy and the News sheds new light on the vital importance of a healthy news media for a healthy democracy.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

American democracy was founded on the belief that ultimate power rests in an informed citizenry. But that belief appears naive in an era when private corporations manipulate public policy and the individual citizen is dwarfed by agencies, special interest groups, and other organizations that have a firm grasp on real political and economic power. In Democracy and the News, one of America's most astute social critics explores the crucial link between a weakened news media and weakened democracy. Building on his 1979 classic media critique Deciding What's News, Herbert Gans shows how, with the advent of cable news networks, the internet, and a proliferation of other sources, the role of contemporary journalists has shrunk, as the audience for news moves away from major print and electronic media to smaller and smaller outlets. Gans argues that journalism also suffers from assembly-line modes of production, with the major product being publicity for the president and other top political officials, the very people citizens most distrust. In such an environment, investigative journalism--which could offer citizens the information they need to make intelligent critical choices on a range of difficult issues--cannot flourish. But Gans offers incisive suggestions about what the news media can do to recapture its role in American society and what political and economic changes might move us closer to a true citizen's democracy. Touching on questions of critical national importance, Democracy and the News sheds new light on the vital importance of a healthy news media for a healthy democracy.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Cheap Sex by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book Hegel: Philosophy of Politics: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book When Children Refuse School by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book The Economic Impacts of Natural Disasters by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book Toeing the Lines by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book The Hound of the Baskervilles - With Audio Level 4 Oxford Bookworms Library by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book The Long Decade by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book Finding Consciousness by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book Navigating Life with Epilepsy by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book John Henry: Roark Bradford's Novel and Play by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book Emerging Adulthood by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book The Skull of Australopithecus afarensis by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book Representing Red and Blue by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book Why Humans Cooperate by Herbert J. Gans
Cover of the book Entertaining Judgment by Herbert J. Gans
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy