The American Media Experience: Freedom, Bias, Mergers
This essay surveys the history of American media from the colonial era to the present. It focuses on the First Amendment protections of press freedom, the nature and consequences of media bias, and the modern tendency at media consolidation via corporate mergers reducing the number and variety of me...
| Published in: | Journal of interdisciplinary studies |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
[2018]
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| In: |
Journal of interdisciplinary studies
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| RelBib Classification: | CH Christianity and Society KAH Church history 1648-1913; modern history KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history KBQ North America |
| Further subjects: | B
UNITED States. Constitution. 1st Amendment
B FAIRNESS doctrine (Broadcasting) B Freedom of the press B United States B Mass Media B NETWORK neutrality B BROADCASTING industry laws |
| Summary: | This essay surveys the history of American media from the colonial era to the present. It focuses on the First Amendment protections of press freedom, the nature and consequences of media bias, and the modern tendency at media consolidation via corporate mergers reducing the number and variety of media voices. Actually, these three elements are intertwined rather than independent. The government tried, without lasting effect, to regulate media through Sedition Acts, libel suits, prior restraint, the Fairness Doctrine, and net neutrality. For most of America's history, media bias was presented up front by publishers so readers knew exactly what to expect. However, over the past quarter century, mainline national media have become increasingly ideological so that objectivity or the pursuit of truth may be seriously questioned. Media mergers have been about profits yet they effectively concentrate control of news outlets in fewer and fewer hands. |
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| ISSN: | 2766-0508 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of interdisciplinary studies
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