| Who Deliberates?: Mass Media in Modern Democracy Contributor(s): Page, Benjamin I. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0226644731 ISBN-13: 9780226644738 Publisher: University of Chicago Press OUR PRICE: $22.77 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: June 1996 Annotation: Public deliberation is essential to democracy, but the public can be fooled as well as enlightened. In three case studies of media coverage in the 1990s, Benjamin Page explores the role of the press in structuring political discussion. Page shows how the "New York Times" presented a restricted set of opinions on whether to go to war with Iraq, shutting out discussion of compromises favored by many Americans. He then examines the media's negative reaction to the Bush administration's claim that riots in Los Angeles were caused by welfare programs. Finally, he shows how talk shows overcame the elite media's indifference to widespread concern about Zoe Baird's hiring of illegal aliens. Page's provocative conclusion identifies the conditions under which media outlets become political actors and actively shape and limit the ideas and information available to the public. Arguing persuasively that a diversity of viewpoints is essential to true public deliberation, this book will interest students of American politics, communications, and media studies. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Political Science - Social Science | Media Studies |
| Dewey: 302.230 |
| LCCN: 95026652 |
| Series: American Politics & Political Economy (Paperback) |
| Physical Information: 0.53" H x 5.53" W x 8.54" (0.56 lbs) 178 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Public deliberation is essential to democracy, but the public can be fooled as well as enlightened. In three case studies of media coverage in the 1990s, Benjamin Page explores the role of the press in structuring political discussion. Page shows how the New York Times presented a restricted set of opinions on whether to go to war with Iraq, shutting out discussion of compromises favored by many Americans. He then examines the media's negative reaction to the Bush administration's claim that riots in Los Angeles were caused by welfare programs. Finally, he shows how talk shows overcame the elite media's indifference to widespread concern about Zoe Baird's hiring of illegal aliens. Page's provocative conclusion identifies the conditions under which media outlets become political actors and actively shape and limit the ideas and information available to the public. Arguing persuasively that a diversity of viewpoints is essential to true public deliberation, this book will interest students of American politics, communications, and media studies. |
Contributor Bio(s): Page, Benjamin I.: - Benjamin I. Page is the Gordon Scott Fulcher Professor of Decision Making at Northwestern University and the author or coauthor of several books, including Democracy in America? |