Media Mythmakers: How Journalists, Activists, and Advertisers Mislead Us [Hardcover]

Benjamin Radford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2003

This hard-hitting critique of our media culture examines not only the ways in which we are deceived, but also the media's role in propagating those deceptions. But "Media Mythmakers" goes beyond criticism to give concrete examples of the damage that manipulation of the news causes. From missing children to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, from the efforts to end slavery to AIDS education, myths and deception in the media threaten us all. While the public is being misled, real problems go unaddressed and resources are wasted on misguided ideas. In an increasingly complex world, where accurate and unbiased information is more important than ever, this book provides a timely and much-needed analysis.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

As the lines between advertising, news, and entertainment blur, the ideal of an informed citizenry becomes harder and harder to achieve. We, the American public, aren't sure what to believe, or where to put our money and trust. We know we're being manipulated, misled, and outright lied to by those who seek our support. Whether it comes from advertisers, activists, or the government, the manipulation is constant and pervasive.

Those who are supposed to help us understand the world and the problems we face frequently fail us. Journalists and the news media offer entertainment and sensationalism instead of significant information. Politicians and lawmakers who guide the country are little better; instead of real solutions, we are offereed merely the illusion of progress.

This hard-hitting critique of our media culture examines not only the ways in which we are deceived, but the media's role in propagating these deceptions. But MEDIA MYTHMAKERS goes beyond criticism to give concrete examples of the damage caused by manipulation of the news. From missing children to the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, from efforts to end slavery in other countries to AIDS education, myths and deception in the media threaten us all. While the public is being misled, real problems go unaddressed and resources are wasted on misguided ideas.

In an increasingly complex world, where accurate and unbiased information is more important than ever, MEDIA MYTHMAKERS provides a timely and much-needed analysis.

About the Author

Benjamin Radford is the managing editor of "Skeptical Inquirer" magazine and the coauthor with Robert E. Bartholomew of HOAXES, MYTHS, AND MANIAS: WHY WE NEED CRITICAL THINKING.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 230 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591020727
• ISBN-13: 978-1591020721
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Benjamin Radford is managing editor of "Skeptical Inquirer" science magazine and a Research Fellow with the non-profit educational organization the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He has written hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics, including urban legends, the paranormal, critical thinking, and science literacy.

He is author of five books: "Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias: Why We Need Critical Thinking" (with Bob Bartholomew); "Media Mythmakers: How Journalists, Activists, and Advertisers Mislead Us"; "Lake Monster Mysteries: Investigating the World's Most Elusive Creatures" (with Joe Nickell); "Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries"; and "Tracking the Vampire: Chupacabra in Fact, Fiction, and Folklore" (out in 2011 from the University of New Mexico Press).

Radford is a regular columnist for LiveScience.com, Discovery News, and Skeptical Inquirer magazine. Radford created Playing Gods: The Board Game of Divine Domination, the world's first satirical board game of religious warfare. He is also a filmmaker, and released two short films: Clicker Clatter (2007), and Sirens (2009).

Radford is one of the world's few science-based paranormal investigators, and has done first-hand research into mysterious phenomena including psychics, ghosts and haunted houses; exorcisms, miracles, Bigfoot, stigmata, lake monsters, UFO sightings, reincarnation, and crop circles, and many other topics. He is perhaps best known for solving the mysteries of the Santa Fe Courthouse Ghost in 2007, and the Hispanic vampire el chupacabra in 2010.

Radford has appeared on the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, the Learning Channel, CBC, CBS, BBC, CNN, and other networks with three letters. He also served as a consultant for the MTV series The Big Urban Myth Show and an episode of the CBS crime drama CSI. Radford has appeared in publications including the Wall Street Journal, Wired, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Ladies' Home Journal.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars devastating critique of the corporate promulgation of bunk, November 12, 2004

By 

NonCynicalSkeptic (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Media Mythmakers: How Journalists, Activists, and Advertisers Mislead Us (Hardcover)

The fourth estate is supposed to expose nonsense in the public interest, but in this book, Radford exposes how the media itself purveys nonsense, betraying its contract with the American people.

Should be required reading for everyone -- arms you with the weapons you need to defend yourself from the daily onslought of error, half-truth, and ratings-pandering fake news.

There are hundreds of examples in this well-researched book of how the media distorts facts and displays its bias (not liberal or conservative, per se, but a coporate bias that panders to viewers who want spectacle, not facts).

Not since Neil Postman has there been a media critic who is so on the side of the critical thinker and so incisive in his critiques of the power of the media.

Highly recommended.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Eye Opener!, October 30, 2003

By 

Megan Connors (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Media Mythmakers: How Journalists, Activists, and Advertisers Mislead Us (Hardcover)

This book is a real eye opener to the truth behind the media's myths. Radford comes at everyday events, from 9/11/01 to mundane product advertising, at an angle that most of us never even considered. Communications and Media Majors will certainly appreciate his fresh takes on things that the public has become oblivious to. I highly recommend this entertaining and informative book to anyone who watches the 6 O Clock news!

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uneven but Interesting, January 2, 2005

By 

Randall Christison (San Diego) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Media Mythmakers: How Journalists, Activists, and Advertisers Mislead Us (Hardcover)

. I recommend this book for his discussions of the media and of advertising--his critique of AOL is worth the price of admission alone.
. When Radford is addressing the press, he's right on. As he accurately points out, the media's efforts to keep the populace worked up and scared yields some untoward results, for example, fear legislation. He's right on the money.
. His crusade, that we as Americans are lacking critical thinking skills, is an accurate assessment. But when he addresses matters of science and law, he's sometimes off the mark. Although he labels himself as a skeptic, it seems much of his approach is that of the modern American cynic--if you can attribute an action to base motives, then you must be right.
. On matters of law, I wish he and other writers would understand that the making of a claim, or even the filing of a lawsuit, is evidence of nothing beyond the claimant or counsel could afford the filing fee. A court judgment means something. A settlement sometimes does and sometimes doesn't. But filing a complaint means nothing.