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Author:   Bartholomew H. Sparrow (Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin)
Publisher:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Imprint:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.60cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.397kg
ISBN:  

9780801860362

ISBN 10:   0801860369
Pages:   304
Publication Date:   29 June 1999
Recommended Age:   From 17
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

Series Editor's Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Media Attack Dogs Chapter 3. Media Lap Dogs Chapter 4. Making Money and Making News Chapter 5. Organizational News, Ordered News Chapter 6. The Watchdogs That Didn't Bark Chapter 7. Reforming Political Communication Notes Index

Reviews

<p>Uncertain Guardians has some fine detail on the media's many transgressions, particularly our gormless performance as the watchdog of democracy.--Molly Ivins Fort Worth Star-Telegram

<p> Sparrow opens this extraordinarily well-written book by examining the role of the news media in American political life, paying particular attention to the constraints under which they operate. In subsequent chapters, he analyzes several of these constraints, including how journalists fail to challenge popular political views, or 'policy monopolies, ' and succumb to the economic dictates of advertising sponsors. In a crucially important chapter, Sparrow indicts reporters for failing to offer unbiased coverage of several major stories, including the Persian Gulf War, the crash of Korean Airlines Flight 007, the savings and loan crisis, the AIDS epidemic, and progress in cancer treatment. Sparrow is not without hope; his final chapter proposes practical policy reforms ranging from reducing advertisers' subsidies to fostering a problem-centered 'civic journalism' that engages the local community. Sparrow clearly hopes that these proposals make the Fourth Estate more fully accountable to the American people. Recommended. -- Library Journal

Author Information

Bartholomew H. Sparrow is an associate professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin.

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