Media Bias

by Hudson, David L.; Ruschmann, Paul; Marzilli, Alan

• ISBN13: 9781604139044
• ISBN10: 1604139048
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-01-30
• Publisher: Facts on File

Summary

Can Americans trust print and electronic media to report the news with accuracy? Critics of the modern media often allege that a liberal eliteùisolated from the rest of the country and scornful of mainstream American valuesù controls broadcast and cable networks and other major news outlets. Defenders of the media contend that such accusations of bias are exaggerated and claim that critics use faulty studies to back up their claims. Yet the questions remain: In a world where new ways to disseminate information are constantly being invented, should American media undergo major reform, and what kind of changes should be made? This second edition of Media Bias examines these and other questions, while analyzing First Amendment requirements and the doors opened by alternative media formats.

Author Biography

Paul Ruschmann, J.D., is a legal analyst and writer based in Canton, Michigan. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and his law degree from the University of Michigan. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan. David L. Hudson Jr. is a research attorney with the First Amendment Center at Vander bilt University. He has published widely on First Amendment and other constitutional law issues. Alan Marzilli, M.A., J.D., is a senior writer for Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. He works primarily on developing training and educational materials for agencies of the federal government.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. 6
Introduction
Fairness, Politics, and the American Media	p. 11
Point
Journalists Are Out of Touch with America	p. 24
Counterpoint
Journalists'Views Do Not Affect Their Reporting	p. 36
Point
The Media Have a Liberal Bias	p. 47
Counterpoint
Claims of Liberal Media Bias Are Exaggerated	p. 59
Point
Concentrated Media Ownership Harms the Public	p. 73
Counterpoint
The Media Are Healthier Than Ever	p. 86
Conclusion
Reforming the Media	p. 98
Appendix: Beginning Legal Research	p. 109
Elements of the Argument	p. 112
Notes	p. 114
Resources	p. 118
Picture Credits	p. 121
Index	p. 122
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Can Americans trust print and electronic media to report the news with accuracy? Critics of the modern media often allege that a liberal elite isolated from the rest of the country and scornful of mainstream American values controls broadcast networks and major newspapers. Defenders of the media contend that such accusations of bias are exaggerated and claim that critics use faulty studies to back up their claims. The questions remain: In a world where new ways to disseminate information are constantly being invented, should American media undergo major reform, and what kind of changes should be made? This second edition of Media Bias examines these and other questions, while analyzing First Amendment requirements and the doors opened by alternative media formats.