The News in America;Library of Congress Series in American Civilization

Radio, TV, newsreels, magazines, newspapers—they flood us with every variety of news, but how much do we know about how that news is gathered, processed, and distributed? Frank Luther Mott does know, and in this readable book he describes for the citizen how the people’s desire for news is supplied. He discusses the chief concepts of news, from sensation to objective statement; the values and abuses, the dangers and problems of each type of news; the question of news controls; and the news-purveyor’s—and the news consumer’s—responsibilities to the public interest. There are graphic sketches of a great wire news agency, a metropolitan newspaper, and a big radio newsroom—all of which are viewed in action. By the author of the Pulitzer Prize–winning A History of American Magazines. Preface CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE. News-Hunger CHAPTER TWO. Feeding the News-Hungry CHAPTER THREE. What's the News? CHAPTER FOUR. News as History CHAPTER FIVE. Speed: The News as Timely Report CHAPTER SIX. News as Sensation CHAPTER SEVEN. The Human-Interest Story As News CHAPTER EIGHT. Objective News versus Qualified Report CHAPTER NINE. Local News CHAPTER TEN. Domestic News and the News Services CHAPTER ELEVEN. News of Government CHAPTER TWELVE. Foreign News CHAPTER THIRTEEN. No. 50, Rockefeller Plaza CHAPTER FOURTEEN. The “Daily Tribune” Goes to Press CHAPTER FIFTEEN. WZZZ Airs the News CHAPTER SIXTEEN. The Form of News CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. News Controls CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. To Lead or to Follow CHAPTER NINETEEN. The Responsibilities of the Reader CHAPTER TWENTY. Looking toward the Future NOTES INDEX