Changing Channels: From Just The Facts To Outrageous Opinions - Softcover

Bishop, Judith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1641119314 ISBN 13: 9781641119313

Publisher: Palmetto Publishing Group, 2020

Synopsis

Changing Channels is about television news told by journalists who live the story 24/7

Facing unique challenges posed by a unique president, newscasts are under the microscope. Just as viewers are changing channels to the one that reflects their political beliefs, journalists are reassessing their strategies. For prominent anchors and reporters the stakes are high. Is this the golden age of post-Watergate journalism? Or have some programs morphed from "just the facts" to propaganda masquerading as news? The lines are blurred as a debate rages over the new rules of the game. Donald Trump's media-bashing circus labels reporters "enemies of the people". As this drama plays out, anchors and reporters who make the most noise often get the most attention. Who is speaking truth to power and who is disseminating partisan rhetoric? And what happens next in the inevitable post-Trump world? Will broadcast journalism revert to the old normal or is this the new normal?

Changing Channels explores the world of TV news - its present and its future told by the people who know it best. Through exclusive interviews and little known public statements, high-profile anchors, reporters, executives and media critics tell us what they really think when the cameras aren't rolling.

About this title

About the Author

Judith Bishop worked in television news in New York for over thirty years. She produced high-profile programs hosted by Tim Russert, Chris Matthews, and Dick Cavett. Earlier in her career, she wrote and produced at WABC Eyewitness News. In addition, she wrote and produced documentaries and specials for PBS, CNBC, COURT TV, and syndication. Most recently, she was an on-air contributor at NPR/WLRN in Miami.

From the Back Cover

CHANGING CHANNELS is a book about television news told by journalists who live the story 24/7. Facing unique challenges posed by a unique president, daily newscasts are under the microscope. Just as viewers are changing channels to the one that best reflects their political beliefs, journalists are reassessing their strategies. For prominent anchors and reporters the stakes are high. Is this the golden age of post-Watergate journalism? Or have some newscasts morphed from "just the facts" to propaganda masquerading as journalism? The lines are blurred as a debate rages over the new rules of the game. Donald Trump's media-bashing circus labels reporters "enemies of the people". How are journalists fighting back by adjusting their routine strategies to cover a president who is anything but routine? As this drama plays out, anchors and reporters who make the most noise often get the most attention. Who is speaking truth to power and who is spouting partisan rhetoric? What impact is this relentless war on the press having on the public's right to know and our national psyche? And what happens next in the inevitable post-Trump world? Will broadcast journalism revert to the old normal or is this the new normal?

CHANGING CHANNELS explores this headline driven phenomenon. It's is a book about television journalism - its present and its future told by the people who know it best. Through exclusive interviews and little known public statements, high-profile anchors, reporters, executives, and media critics weigh in and tell us what they really think when the cameras aren't rolling.

From the Inside Flap

For broadcast journalists, these may be the best of times and the worst of times. The best of times because there's no shortage of headlines as events unfold at warp speed. The worst of times because journalists are under attack from accusations of "fake news" and threats of physical violence. From day one, the presidency of Donald Trump was a slugfest and his favorite punching bag was the press. That was the main event.

CHANGING CHANNELS is a book about the fine art of reporting told by a multiplicity of voices. Prominent anchors, reporters and media critics reveal what they think about the current state of journalism and strategies they're exploring to set the record straight in a toxic environment where mega-lies bombard viewers 24/7. The stakes are high because decisions reporters make today will determine the journalism of tomorrow.

Over the years, the tenor of television news has changed as its evolution became a revolution and "just the facts" morphed into outrageous opinions. On camera reporters deal in words, but behind the scenes network executives deal in numbers. When these worlds collide, journalists are forced to make difficult choices in a perpetual tug of war to boost ratings and ad revenue.

Today television journalism is at a crossroads. Cable news is booming while network news is threatened by extinction. To what degree is their coverage similar, and how might "old school" network programs adapt to survive in a changing landscape?

At some point, the Trump administration will end, but it will not go gentle into that good night and threatens to leave a legacy of acrimony and divisiveness. When this turbulent chapter fades into history, will journalists be viewed as guardians of the first amendment or partisan apologists?

Edition details

• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing Group
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1641119314
• ISBN 13: 9781641119313
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152