Good Intentions Make Bad News: Why Americans Hate Campaign Jouralism [Paperback]

Robert S. Lichter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0847680967 | ISBN-13: 978-0847680962

This text outlines how campaign journalism has evolved since the 1970s, concluding that media partisanship plays a disproportionate role in determining electoral outcomes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Nothing in American politics attracts more commentary than the news coverage of presidential elections. Bob Lichter's devotion to the collection of hard data through content analysis of the performance of the news media distinguishes his commentary from most of the pack, and gives this book special value. (Nelson W. Polsby )

This book is must reading for every newsperson who wants to improve journalism, every politician who needs to understand the press's obstacle course, and every citizen who is concerned about the news media. This accessible and smoothly written volume is perfectly suited for a wide variety of classroom uses. (Larry J. Sabato )

This book is a must for scholars interested in campaign journalism and would be appropriate fare for upper-division or graduate students in journalism, political science or public affairs. (Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly )

A stunning analysis that confirms Lippman's proposition that news and truth seldom coincide. (Patterson, Thomas E. )

A clear strength of the text is extensive use of actual coverage from network reports . . . This book is a must for scholars interested in campaign journalism and would be appropriate fare for upper-division or graduate students in journalism, political science, or public affairs. (Dwight DewerthPallmeyer )

The authors rightly suggest that it's time for journalists to 'narrate' the presidential campaign instead of trying to 'arbitrate' it--that is, drop editorializing and get back to reporting. . . . Perhaps the most extensive review ever of newspaper stories, TV clips, and candidates' speeches. (Morton Kondracke Roll Call )

. . . splendid book.

"An impressive piece of media criticism...definitive proof that the press can't cover scientific and medical issues without going off the deep end." (Fred Barnes Weekly Standard ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

S. Robert Lichter is the co-author of When Should the Watchdogs Bark? Media Coverage of the Clinton Scandals and Roots of Radicalism: Jews, Christians, and the New Left. He is co-director of the Center for Media and Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., and is a visiting professor of Government at Georgetown University.

Richard Noyes is the Political Studies Director at the Center for Media and Public Affairs. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (September 6, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847680967
• ISBN-13: 978-0847680962
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,150,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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