How to Watch TV News: Revised Edition (Paperback)

by Neil Postman (Author), Steve Powers (Author)
Key Phrases: United States, New York Times, Fox News (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A scathing and prescient look at television news—now updated for the new tech-savvy generation

Television news : genuine information or entertainment fodder? Fifteen years ago, Neil Postman, a pioneer in media education and author of the bestselling Amusing Ourselves to Death, and Steve Powers, an award-winning broadcast journalist, concluded that anyone who relies exclusively on their television for accurate world news is making a big mistake. A cash cow laden with money from advertisers, so-called news shows glut viewers with celebrity coverage at the cost of things they really should know. Today, this message is still appallingly true but the problems have multiplied— along with the power of the Internet and the abundance of cable channels. A must-read for anyone concerned with the way media is manipulating our worldview, this newly revised edition addresses the evolving technology and devolving quality of America’s television news programming.

About the Author
Neil Postman was chairman of the department of communication arts at New York University. He passed away in 2003. Steve Powers is an Emmy Award-winning journalist with more than forty-five years experience in broadcast news.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Rev Upd edition (June 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0143113771
• ISBN-13: 978-0143113775
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #108,105 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #16 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Communication > Media And Society
  #61 in	Books > Entertainment > Television > History & Criticism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For News Junkies and Students Looking to Break Into TV Journalism, July 2, 2008

By	D. O'Brien (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Truly eye-opening and fascinating. I read the first edition quite a few years back and eagerly read the newly revised edition that addresses the web and how it further affects the devolving quality of America's television news programming. It's astounding how little we truly know about something that is such an integral part of our everyday lives. The world of news can be overwhelming, and as a medium can't always be trusted. This book illuminates its inner workings in an easy and interesting way. You will never "watch" news the same way again after reading this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real deal, August 5, 2008

By	Emile D. Menasche "SomeEditorGuy" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Powers is the real deal--he's been in the news business forever--and he also knows how to explain and to look behind and beyond the obvious. Great read, and truly informative. You won't watch TV the same way again.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific read!, July 1, 2008

By	sarahc18 - See all my reviews

I highly recommend this book to anyone who tunes into TV news to stay "in the know." This book truly enlightened me! Written by two award winning veterans in the field of journalism, I was pleased with the vast wealth of information and insight provided in this book. Packed with industry facts and shrewd perceptions, the book made me seriously ponder "what exactly is TV news and just what have I been watching all these years?" This book is also very timely, as it delves into how the Internet has further altered the reality and integrity of the news. It's a must read for anyone who wants to fully understand TV news and how it can manipulate our world view.