Issues in Contemporary American Journalism
- Available for pre-order on April 24, 2023. Item will ship after May 15, 2023
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Book Description
Bringing together the diverse perspectives of over 20 leading journalism scholars, this collection provides an original insight into the history of American journalism and issues that exist and have existed within the industry for decades.
The culture of journalism is in constant flux, with both individual journalists and the news industry as a whole regularly finding themselves at the center of controversy. While heightened in recent years, such controversy is not new and could in fact be considered a hallmark of the profession. With this in mind, this book presents original perspectives into issues and debates regarding the role of journalism in America, journalistic objectivity and ethics, diversity and representation, war and conflict reporting, local news, fake news, and hostility towards journalists. Each of the seven sections begins with a topical overview and ends with a short essay written by a leader in the field.
Issues in Contemporary American Journalism is recommended reading for anyone studying the history and evolution of journalism in the US at an advanced level.
Table of Contents
List of Contributors
Preface
Hans C. Schmidt
Introduction
Hans C. Schmidt
Section I: The Role of Journalism in America
Section I Introduction
Hans C. Schmidt
Chapter 1
A Brief History of Journalism in the United States
Hans C. Schmidt
Chapter 2
The Free Press: A Confusing History and Uncertain Future
Gina Baleria
Chapter 3
How Free and How Responsible? The 75th Anniversary of the Hutchins Commission Report
Lois A. Boynton
Essay
The Importance of Journalism Today
Dane S. Claussen
Section II: Rethinking Journalistic Objectivity and Ethics
Section II Introduction
Hans C. Schmidt
Chapter 4
Journalism Ethics: Dilemmas and Decisions
Maggie Jones Patterson
Chapter 5
Journalistic Objectivity: A Gold Standard or Myth?
E. S. McIntyre
Chapter 6
How Journalistic Objectivity Turns Matters of Science into Matters of Politics: A Closer Look at Climate Change and COVID-19 Reporting
Jason Turcotte and Nicolas Hernandez Florez
Essay
When Objectivity Isn’t Enough: A Case Study on Feminicidios, Violence Against Women, and Anti-Violence Activism
Leandra H. Hernández
SECTION III: Diversity and Representation in Journalism
Section III Introduction
Hans C. Schmidt
Chapter 7
African American Newspapers: The Voice of the Community
Masudul Biswas
Chapter 8
It’s Everybody’s Problem: Why Journalism’s Macho Culture Persists and How to Help Make it End
Meg Heckman
Chapter 9
Heroes and Villains? How U.S. News Organizations are Shifting Their Representations of Protesters and Authorities
Jennifer Brannock Cox
Essay
The Uneven History of Diversity in Journalism
Gwyneth Mellinger
Section IV: War and Conflict Reporting in a Multidimensional World
Section IV Introduction
Hans C. Schmidt
Chapter 10
The Complicated History of War and Conflict Reporting in the United States
Hans C. Schmidt
Chapter 11
Media, War and the Propaganda of Pretext
Oliver Boyd-Barrett
Chapter 12
Challenges in Terrorism Coverage in the United States
Yiyi Yang
Essay
War Coverage: Perspectives from the Academy to the Field
Sean Aday
Section V: Challenges and Opportunities for Local News
Section V Introduction
Hans C. Schmidt
Chapter 13
Local News in Crisis
Bill Reader
Chapter 14
Public Access Television: An Untapped Resource for Local News
Antoine Haywood and Victor Pickard
Chapter 15
The Engaged Student Journalist: A Teaching Hospital Model for the 21st Century
Allison M. Frisch and Gina Gayle
Essay
Building Better Competitive News Environments
John-Erik Koslosky
Section VI: The Real Impact of Fake News
Section VI Introduction
Hans C. Schmidt
Chapter 16
Understanding Fake News Today
Larry J. King
Chapter 17
The Return of Fake News
J. D. Ponder
Chapter 18
The Evolution of Fake News on Facebook: Truth Disagreements and a Loss of Common Knowledge
Danielle R. Mehlman-Brightwell
Essay
Inoculation Theory and Fake News
Josh Compton
Section VII: Journalistic Trust and Accuracy in an Era of Hostility and Partisanship
Section VII Introduction
Hans C. Schmidt
Chapter 19
Hostility Toward the Press: Background and Steps Forward
Kelsey Mesmer and Kaitlin Miller
Chapter 20
Participatory Journalism: A New Approach for Increasing Public Trust and Engagement
Mirjana Pantic
Chapter 21
Of Sounder Mind: Considering the Well-Being of Professional Journalists
Avery E. Holton and Valérie Bélair-Gagnon
Essay
Predatory Publishing: What Every Science Journalist Needs to Know
Amy Koerber
Index
Editor(s)
Biography
Hans C. Schmidt is an associate professor of communications at Penn State University, Brandywine, and holds a Ph.D. in mass media and communication. He teaches journalism and media classes, and is author of numerous peer-reviewed academic journal articles. His scholarship is primarily focused on journalism, journalism education, and media literacy.