The Dynamics of News: Journalism in the 21st-Century Media Milieu

Description

This new and highly readable textbook by Richard M. Perloff introduces students to the complex world of contemporary news and its theoretical underpinnings, engaging with debates and ethical quandaries. The book takes readers on a concept-guided tour of the contours, continuities, and changing features of news. It covers a huge breadth of topics including: the classic theories of what news should do, its colorful history in America and popular myths of news, the overarching forces involved in contemporary news gathering, critical economic determinants of news and social system influences, and innovative trends in the future of journalism. Drawing on scholarship in the fields of journalism studies and sociology of news, Perloff offers readers a critical, in-depth exploration of news filled with relevant examples from newspapers, newscasts, and social media. Students of journalism, communication, sociology, politics, and related courses, as well as inquisitive scholars, will find this book's intellectual focus enriching, the writing and examples engaging, and the thoroughness of its search of the contemporary media scene invigorating. Boxes summarizing theory and key concepts help students to deepen their understanding of both what news is now and its future. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Image Credits Preface Acknowledgments PART I: Foundations 1.Prologue: News in a Fragmented Age Introducing the Issues Roadmap Conclusions References 2. News and Journalism in the 21st-Century Milieu Journalism and News in a Dazzingly Digital Era Conclusions References 3. Defining News and Journalism Journalism News Conclusions References 4. What Should News Do? Ideals and Complicating Realities Libertarian Theory Social Responsibility Perspective Interpretation Emotional Functions: Social Empathy and Ritualistic Nation-Healing Watchdog Journalism: Investigative News Facilitating Democratic Dialogue: Improving the Public Sphere Collaborative Approach Conclusions References 5. The Rich, Colorful History of American Journalism: Overview and Perspectives The Radical Press of the American Revolution The Partisan (Very Biased) Press of the 19th Century: Dark Clouds and Optimistic Tremors This Just In: News is Invented, Journalism Emerges, and a Commercial Press in America, Warts and All, is Launched The High-Modern Period of Powerful News and Its Inevitable Decline Conclusions References PART II: What Makes News Tick? Concepts, Controversies, and Conclusions 6. Unpacking the News: Refracting Not Reflecting Reality Does News Reflect Reality? Well, Not Exactly News as a Process of Construction Conclusions References 7. Do Journalists’ Personal Attributes Shape News? Myths and Realities Gatekeeping and a Model of News Individual-Level Influences on News Unpacking the Liberal News Bias Myth Individual Factors Redux in an Age of Twitter Conclusions References 8. Journalistic Routines and Why They Matter Overview News Values Formal Channels and Information Subsidies Sources: The Lifeblood of News Conundrums of Source Routines: Leaks and Anonymous Sources Internet, Social Media, and Routines Conclusions References 9. Organizational and Economic Influences Organizational Forces Economic Influences The Case of Local News Conclusions References 10. News and the Social System: Conformity or Change? The Hegemonic Social System Perspective System-Level Economic Factors Propping up the Political Power Structure Framing Critiques and Overall Assessment of Hegemony Conclusions References 11. Epilogue References Index