Schudson, MichaelUnknown
Polity Press (Cambridge, 2018) (eng) English9781509528059UnknownUnknownJOURNALISM--UNITED STATES--HISTORY--21ST CENTURY; UnknownCan we talk about the news media without proclaiming journalism either our savior or the source of all evil? It is not easy to do so, but it gets easier if we put the problems and prospects of journalism in historical and comparative perspective, view them with a sociological knowledge of how newsmaking operates, and see them in a political context that examines how political institutions shape news as well as how news shapes political attitudes and institutions.
Adopting this approach, Michael Schudson examines news and news institutions in relation to democratic theory and practice, in relation to the economic crisis that affects so many news organizations today and in relation to recent discussions of "fake news." In contrast to those who suggest that journalism has had its day, Schudson argues that journalism has become more important than ever for liberal democracies as the keystone institution in a web of accountability for a governmental system that invites public attention, public monitoring and public participation. For the public to be swayed from positions people have already staked out, and for government officials to respond to charges that they have behaved corruptly or unconstitutionally or simply rashly and unwisely, the source of information has to come from organizations that hold themselves to the highest standards of verification, fact-checking, and independent and original research, and that is exactly what professional journalism aspires to do.
This timely and important defense of journalism will be of great value to anyone concerned about the future of news and of democracy.
Physical dimension
x, 213 p.22 cm.Unknown
Summary / review / table of contents
Introduction: where journalism came from --
14 or 15 generations: news as a cultural form and journalism as a historical formation --
Walter Lippmann's ghost: an interview --
Is journalism a profession? objectivity 1.0, objectivity 2.0, and beyond --
Going deeper into contemporary journalism --
The danger of independent journalism --
Belgium invades Germany: reclaiming non-fake news --
imperfect, professional, and democratic --
Journalism in a journalized society: refections on Raymond Williams and the "Dramatised Society" --
The crisis in news: can you whistle a happy tune --
Short takes on journalism and democracy --
Citizenship --
according to "The Simpsons" --
The multiple political roles of American Journalism --
Democracy as a slow government movement --
Afterword --
Second thoughts: Schudson on Schudson.