The nightly news nightmare
Subtitle: television's coverage of U.S. presidential elections, 1988-2004
By: Stephen J. Farnsworth and S. Robert Lichter
Contributors: Lichter, S. Robert
Edition: 2nd ed
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Lanham
Language: eng
Number of pages: 245
Subjects: Press and politics -- United States; Television broadcasting of news -- United States; Political campaigns -- United States -- Press coverage -- United States; Presidents -- United States -- Election -- History -- 20th century
Description: Beginning with the 1988 presidential election and now updates through 2004, The Nightly News Nightmare shows how network news coverage of what is arguably the nation's most important political event has declined. Through extensive analysis of news content from the Big Three and Fox, acclaimed media scholars Stephen J. Farnsworth and S. Robert Lichter compare what the candidates said with what the networks say they said and judge the disparity a nightmare. The authors go onto suggest that perhaps the candidates themselves do a better job of portraying the campaigns than those who used to be the trusted network guardians of the news. While the amount of news coverage of the Bush-Kerry race marked an improvement compared to previous elections, Farnsworth and Lichter also point out that, in other ways, things were even worse in 2004.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 217-234) and index