The book shows how the media is more interested in increasing entertainment value and advertising than enlightening the public and keeping the power systems of the world in check. Over a hundred commentaries by journalists, academics, and activists paint a grim picture of the concentration of media ownership, its commercialization, and the lack of public service journalism. The Baffler's Thomas Frank discusses how "hipness" has been co-opted by the major advertisers, who use beat poets, alternative music, and images of non-conformity to sell their projects. Ownership diagrams of companies like Time Warner, Westinghouse, and General Electric illustrate how just a few companies control much of what the public sees on television and on newsstands. The last chapter lists activist websites, organizations, and even has a few success stories: one group organized a call-in and letter-writing campaign to combat the rise in hate radio jockeys. An inspiring, informative read.
ISBN: 1565843800
