Media Mythmakers : How Journalists, Activists, and Advertisers Mislead Us

by Radford, Benjamin

• ISBN13: 9781591020721
• ISBN10: 1591020727
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-10-01
• Publisher: Prometheus Books

Summary

This hard-hitting critique of our media culture examines not only the ways in which we are deceived, but the media's role in propagating those deceptions. But Media Mythmakers goes beyond criticism to give concrete examples of the damage that manipulation of the news causes. From missing children to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, from the efforts to end slavery to AIDS education, myths and deception in the media threaten us all. While the public is being misled, real problems go unaddressed and resources are wasted on misguided ideas. In an increasingly complex world, where accurate and unbiased information is more important than ever, this book provides a timely and much-needed analysis.

Author Biography

Benjamin Radford is the managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	9	(2)
Introduction	11	(10)
PART 1: ADVERTISING AND THE ILLUSION OF MEANING
1. Advertising and the Illusion of Meaning	21	(18)
2. Advertising, News, and Entertainment	39	(26)
PART 2: THE MEDIA PERSPECTIVE
3. The News Bias: Distorting Reality and Feeding Fears	65	(38)
4. Illusions of Participation and Influence	103	(24)
5. Tears in the Camera Eye	127	(20)
6. Tragedy as License to Abandon Responsible Journalism	147	(32)
7. The Changing Face of News	179	(18)
PART 3: PROFITING FROM FEAR AND MYTH
8. Cashing in on Crises and Manufacturing Martyrs	197	(24)
9. Emotional Legislation: Solutions without Problems	221	(42)
PART 4: THE WAGES OF FEAR: THE CONSEQUENCES OF A PUBLIC BLINDED BY MYTHS
10. Losing Trust and Resources	263	(14)
11. Threats to Life and Health	277	(10)
12. Threats to Freedom and Justice	287	(20)
Conclusion: Toward Solutions	307	(10)
Index	317