Media Circus: The Trouble with America's Newspapers [Paperback]

Howard Kurtz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 1994

Named America's Best Media Reporter by the American Journalism Review

Revised and Updated Updated with a New Introducton by the Author

From his front-row seat as the press critic for The Washington Post, Howard Kurtz has chronicled the press's sorry record in covering news, politics, and scandal. In Media Circus he takes readers behind the scenes to show how newspapers have bungled so many important stories, from the Gulf, War and Gennifer Flowers to Clarence Thomas and Zoe Baird, including a new chapter -- specially written for this edition -- on the roller-coaster coverage of the Clinton White House. Taking on sacred cows, even in his own newsroom, Kurtz leaves no doubt why he is regarded as the best on his beat.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This dramatic, important dissection of our daily newspapers by the Washington Post 's media reporter exposes the decline of press power since the heady days of Watergate. Kurtz blasts the tabloidization of newspapers, which increasingly concentrate on the Trumps' marital troubles and the bedrooms of Gary Hart and Bill Clinton; this overshadows the continuing and costly scandals involving HUD and the nation's S&Ls in the Reagan years. Kurtz examines the print medium's sorry record on racial issues and the passivity of correspondents during the Persian Gulf war, when the military managed the news. He also analyzes the impact of USA Today on both page makeup and news coverage, concluding that its sound bites are insufficient to keep the reading public informed. Contending that "the smell of death" surrounds many newspapers, Kurtz offers 11 remedies from "Make People Mad" to "Set the Agenda." First serial to Washington Post Magazine.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

YA-An insider's look at journalism today. Kurtz evenhandedly points out the failings, poor judgment, and fuzzy ethical standards exercised by newspapers, including his own Washington Post. He identifies a bias toward bad news, and, beginning with Watergate, an emphasis on scandal. He gives examples of the excess coverage of celebrities, and cites fear of libel for delaying exposure of major stories, such as the S&L scandal. In a readable style, the author relates the history of the newspaper business, and offers remedies to restore its original purpose of providing information. The chapters are short but complete; the detailed bibliography is excellent for research papers. This should be required reading not only for career assignments, but also for classes in civics and social studies, because knowing how articles are put together, and by whom, is essential to thoughtful interpretation. A fascinating discussion of the role of newspapers in our daily lives.
Judy Sokoll, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 434 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (April 26, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812963563
• ISBN-13: 978-0812963564
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,135,192 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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