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How the Cold War Broke the News

The Surprising Roots of Journalism's Decline
Brief Description
Most of us would agree that American journalism has problems. Rushed reporting and thin coverage. Timidity in the face of adversity. Polarized perspectives and euphemistic language. Groupthink about complicated events. While much blame has been levelled at big tech, Barbie Zelizer traces the decline of American... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3799
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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Most of us would agree that American journalism has problems. Rushed reporting and thin coverage. Timidity in the face of adversity. Polarized perspectives and euphemistic language. Groupthink about complicated events.

While much blame has been levelled at big tech, Barbie Zelizer traces the decline of American journalism to the Cold War. She makes the bold claim that Cold War-era practices are to blame for the state of journalism today, undermining a once trusted media environment.

How the Cold War Broke the News is a groundbreaking book that shows how journalism's current problems can be traced back to customs developed over half a century ago and demonstrates how they've continued to upend journalism, journalists, and the news ever since.

We all need a news environment that works. This book tells us why it doesn't and offers a plan to make it better. If our news is better, so is our democracy. And, if our democracy is better, we may be too.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509566389

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 September 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 227.0mm

Weight: 369g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Barbie ZelizerΒ is Raymond Williams Professor of Communication and Director of the Center for Media at Risk at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania.

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