Journalism: State of the Art

(Paperback)

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This book summarizes some 200 media studies many from the journal "Journalism Quarterly". In a paraphrased format, and using informal terms, the author arranges some interesting studies of the 1980s into eight subject headings including ethics law, and the journalist; advertising in the 1980s; polling and precision journalism; and predictors of readership. For many years there has been a gap between media researchers and the practicing journalist. Published research about journalism as a discipline seldom gets in the newsroom. Viewing the gap between the researcher and practitioner, Willis offers comments from both sides. He surveys nearly 150 news executives on media research and looks at what factors cause readers or viewers to pay attention to the news media. From trends in the industry to types of audiences, this book presents practical research studies.

Reviews

Willis (Ball State University) has produced a useful guide to research on journalistic issues such as ethics, advertising, sources, readership, and polling. . . . As a scholar who has worked as a newspaper editor, Willis is convincing about the need to link the academy and the vineyard. In his prologue and epilogue, he clearlyoften eloquentlymakes the case for more communication, trust, and respect between thinkers and doers. Yet the eight chapters forming the heart of the book might do little to promote his cause. In essence, they summarize dozens of articles that appeared in the 1980s in two prominent research forums, Journalism Quarterly and Newspaper Research Journal, and arrange the summaries according to theme. This approach has produced a useful compendium, but at the expense of synthesis, analysis, a strong authorial voice, and, yes, the passion and human interest so necessary to books aimed at building bridges. Levels: graduate and upper-division undergraduate. * Choice *

Author Bio

Jim Willis is associate professor of Journalism at Ball State University and is an Indianapolis-based consultant to the media. A veteran of 12 years in newspapers, Willis is a former editor at the Dallas Morning News and reporter at the Daily Oklahoman, and he holds the PhD in journalism from the University of Missouri. His first book, Surviving in the Newspaper Business, appeared in 1988.