The people's news : media, politics, and the demands of capitalism / Joseph E. Uscinski.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Uscinski, Joseph E.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mass media--Moral and ethical aspects.

Mass media.

Mass media--Influence.

Mass media--Public opinion.

Mass media--Social aspects.

Mass media--Economic aspects.

Mass media and culture.

Physical Description:

vii, 187 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : New York University Press, [2014]

Summary:

"In an ideal world, journalists act selflessly and in the public interest regardless of the financial consequences. However, in reality, news outlets no longer provide the most important and consequential stories to audiences; instead, news producers adjust news content in response to ratings, audience demographics, and opinion polls. While such criticisms of the news media are widely shared, few can agree on the causes of poor news quality. The People's News argues that the incentives in the American free market drive news outlets to report news that meets audience demands, rather than democratic ideals.In short, audiences' opinions drive the content that so often passes off as "the news." The People's News looks at news not as a type of media but instead as a commodity bought and sold on the market, comparing unique measures of news content to survey data from a wide variety of sources. Joseph Uscinski's rigorous analysis shows news firms report certain issues over others - not because audiences need to know them, but rather, because of market demands. Uscinski also demonstrates that the influence of market demands also affects the business of news, prohibiting journalists from exercising independent judgment and determining the structure of entire news markets as well as firm branding. Ultimately, the results of this book indicate profit-motives often trump journalistic and democratic values.The findings also suggest that the media actively responds to audiences, thus giving the public control over their own information environment. Uniting the study of media effects and media content, The People's News presents a powerful challenge to our ideas of how free market media outlets meet our standards for impartiality and public service. Joseph Uscinski is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami"-- Provided by publisher.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780814760338

0814760333

9780814764886

0814764886

OCLC:

844308846

Online:

Cover image