100 Media Moments That Changed America

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

From the launching of America's first newspaper to YouTube's latest phone-videoed crime, the media has always been guilty of indulging America's obsession with controversy. This encyclopedia covers 100 events in world history from the 17th century to the presentmoments that alone were major and minor, but ones that exploded in the public eye when the media stepped in. Topics covered include yellow journalism, the War of the Worlds radio broadcast, the Kennedy-Nixon debates, JFK's assassination, the Pentagon papers, and Hurricane Katrina. These are events that changed the way the media is usednot just as a tool for spreading knowledge, but as a way of shaping and influencing the opinions and reactions of America's citizens. Thanks to the media's representations of these events, history has been changed forever. From classified military plans that leaked out to the public to the first televised presidential debates to the current military tortures caught on tape, 100 Media Moments That Changed America will demonstrate not only an ever-evolving system of news reporting, but also the ways in which historical events have ignited the media to mold news in a way that resonates with America's public. This must-have reference work is ideal for journalism and history majors, as well as for interested general readers. Chapters are in chronological order, beginning with the 17th century. Each chapter starts with a brief introduction, followed by media event entries from that decade. Each entry explains the moment, and then delivers specific details regarding how the media covered the event, America's response to the coverage, and how the media changed history.

Reviews

. . . this 260-page compendium of detailed, documented, and superbly presented information is an especially recommended and seminal addition to both academic and community library Journalism and Media reference collections and supplemental reading lists. * Midwest Book Review *
This is different from other titles on mass media published in the past and would provide an excellent introduction for students. Most high schools include mass-media courses, and this book would be a useful addition to their libraries as well as being suitable for public and academic libraries. * Booklist *

Author Bio

JIM WILLIS is a former journalist for The Oklahoman and The Dallas Morning News who has spent the past three decades in university teaching and research. He chairs the Department of Communication Studies at California's Azusa Pacific University, and has authored ten books on journalism and the news media, including The Media Effect (Praeger Publishers, 2007)