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Primetime Politics: The Truth about Conservative Lies, Corporate Control, and Television Culture
Contributor(s): Green, Philip (Author)
ISBN: 0742521060     ISBN-13: 9780742521063
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
OUR PRICE:   $76.95  
Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats
Published: October 2005
Qty:
Temporarily out of stock - Will ship within 2 to 5 weeks
Annotation: In this insightful new book, media critic Philip Green explores the true nature of television and the effect this TV addiction has on American democracy. He argues that mainstream shows are little more than extended commercials, dominated by advertising interests and designed to be as habit-forming as possible. Programming is controlled by conglomerates afraid of losing market share or upsetting advertisers, leading to television news, dramas, and sitcoms that uphold conservative values at the expense of controversial opinions. The result is a system that stifles debate, isolates viewers, and favors right-wing agendas. To make the system serve a true democracy, Green proposes ending the private monopoly of public airspace and making the television market a true free market.
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Social Science | Media Studies
- Political Science | American Government - General
- Political Science | Civics & Citizenship
Dewey: 302.234
LCCN: 2005006400
Series: Polemics
Physical Information: 0.85" H x 6.4" W x 9.28" (0.98 lbs) 224 pages
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
The average American watches over 25 hours of television each week. Ninety-nine percent of U.S. households have at least one TV set, and 66% own three or more. Over the course of a year, Americans will watch 250 billion hours of television, but what, actually, are they watching? In this insightful new book, media critic Philip Green explores the true nature of television and the effect this TV addiction has on American democracy. He argues that mainstream shows are little more than extended commercials, dominated by advertising interests and designed to be as habit-forming as possible. Programming is controlled by conglomerates afraid of losing market share or upsetting advertisers, leading to television news, dramas, and sitcoms that uphold conservative values at the expense of controversial opinions. The result is a system that stifles debate, isolates viewers, and favors right-wing agendas. To make the system serve a true democracy, Green proposes ending the private monopoly of public airspace and making the television market a true free market. With its hard-hitting critiques and innovative solutions, Primetime Politics is essential reading for everyone who asks "What's on the tube tonight?"