The News Shapers. The Sources Who Explain the News.

Soley, Lawrence C.

ISBN 10: 0275940330 / ISBN 13: 9780275940331

Published by ABC-CLIO, 1992

About this Item

Analysts, political scientists, scholars and consultants - this book describes the individuals that the media approach for "inside information", background or predictions concerning the outcome of news. This book is based on three major networks' broadcasts between 1987 and 1988. Num Pages: 192 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: JFD; KNTJ. Category: (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 229 x 152 x 14. Weight in Grams: 451. . 1992. Hardback. . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780275940331

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The News Shapers. The Sources Who Explain the News.
• Publisher: ABC-CLIO
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0275940330
• ISBN 13: 9780275940331
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Analysts, political scientists, scholars, and consultants,--The News Shapers describes the elite club of individuals that the media approach for inside information, background, or predictions concerning the outcome of still-unfolding stories. Although they are presented as detached experts, Lawrence C. Soley uncovers their long histories of partisanship as former government officials or politicians, and charges that most of the shapers have no better credentials than the millions of people to whom the news media never turn. Soley's findings, based on a University of Minnesota study which examined three major networks' evening newscasts during 1987-1988, reveal that a small number of white, politically conservative men associated with Washington-based think tanks, former Republican administrations, and private, East Coast universities virtually monopolize political discourse in the mass media.

Dispelling the myth of the media's liberal bias, Soley discusses the shortcomings of both print and broadcast journalism which lead to selection of partisan news analysts, and the effects of their commentaries on foreign and domestic affairs. Special attention is given to Henry Kissinger, Washington Think Tanks, and the media's handling of the conflict with Iraq. The News Shapers identifies the experts, their past political affiliations, and their often thin academic credentials. It is highly recommended for scholars in communications, journalism, and political science, as well as for newspaper readers and television news viewers.

About the Author

LAWRENCE C. SOLEY is Professor of Journalism at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of Clandestine Radio Broadcasting (Praeger, 1986) and Radio Warfare (Praeger, 1989), as well as numerous articles on political communication.