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randyrasa's review against another edition
3.0
This book covers a lot of the same ground as [a:Sharyl Attkisson|1416138|Sharyl Attkisson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s [b:Slanted: How the News Media Taught Us to Love Censorship and Hate Journalism|53546156|Slanted How the News Media Taught Us to Love Censorship and Hate Journalism|Sharyl Attkisson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1608520237l/53546156._SY75_.jpg|83879773], though it is better-written, better-researched, less histrionic, and with fewer personal scores to settle. I more-or-less agree with much of the content: yes, the media sometimes gets details wrong, is often quicker to report than to retract, picks and chooses what to report based on a narrative, and individual reporters and news outlets do have biases. The media has a responsibility to do better. And yes, the demographics of the media should better reflect the demographics of America ideologically and culturally. Where I have a problem with this book is that all of the author's vitriol is directed at the left-of-center media, while ignoring the even-more-extreme journalism right-of-center.
Like Slanted, this book fails to grapple with the problem of what to do with misinformation. When a politician lies or distorts the truth, is the media supposed to blindly pass along those untruths to their audience, without comment? Should lies be given just as much weight as the truth? When there's a truth imbalance between political parties, how should the media cover that? These are not easy questions to answer.
I try to consume media from across the political spectrum, even when that is painful or unpleasant. I find the "AllSides" website useful, as it rates the bias of most mainstream media, with roughly equal representation from left to right.
I think this book is a valuable entry in the media studies conversation. It has it's own perspectives and biases, which is fine. It is thought-provoking, at least.
Like Slanted, this book fails to grapple with the problem of what to do with misinformation. When a politician lies or distorts the truth, is the media supposed to blindly pass along those untruths to their audience, without comment? Should lies be given just as much weight as the truth? When there's a truth imbalance between political parties, how should the media cover that? These are not easy questions to answer.
I try to consume media from across the political spectrum, even when that is painful or unpleasant. I find the "AllSides" website useful, as it rates the bias of most mainstream media, with roughly equal representation from left to right.
I think this book is a valuable entry in the media studies conversation. It has it's own perspectives and biases, which is fine. It is thought-provoking, at least.
srm's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.5
An excellent look at the current state of the American media. Also, depressing af.
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical content, Abortion, Xenophobia, Racism, Gun violence, War, Murder, and Mass/school shootings
It seems odd to put content warnings on a political book about the media. There's discussion of a wide range of current events and how they are covered, including issues for which there are content warnings listed here, like medical content and abortion.
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