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

Robert Lichter (Author), Richard Noyes (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0847682730 | ISBN-13: 978-0847682737 | Publication Date: August 30, 1996 | Edition: Second Edition

Good Intentions Make Bad News outlines how campaign journalism has evolved during the last twenty-five years, concluding that media partisanship plays a disproportionate role in determining electoral outcomes. S. Robert Lichter and Richard Noyes, experts in the relationship between mass communications and the political process, argue that unbalanced media coverage obscures the issues most relevant to constituents while it dramatically limits the range of legitimate political debate. The authors discuss the significance of alternative forms of political communication and provide suggestions for the 1996 elections. This in-depth study is sure to be a provocative and controversial book for scholars of political science, campaign strategy, presidential politics, and mass communications.

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 )

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; Second Edition edition (August 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847682730
• ISBN-13: 978-0847682737
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,469,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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