Can the Internet fill the reporting gaps caused by the decline of newspapers? Should bloggers have the same rights and priviledges as reporters? Will traditional print books disappear from the marketplace? These are just a sampling of the important, provocative questions in this new reader, sure to lay needed groundwork and spark lively classroom discussion.

For current coverage of controversial and important issues centering on media, look to the balanced reporting, complete overviews and engaging writing that CQ Researcher has consistently provided for more than eighty years. This brief reader allows students to see the links between media, culture, business and politics, and an opportunity to view the issues from all sides while giving them a window into the linkages between media, culture, business, and politics. In addition, useful pedagogical features—pro/con pieces, graphs, tables, photos, suggested readings, and bibliographies—advance critical thinking and help in study and review.

CQ Press is pleased to comply with the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Please email heoacompliance@cqpress.com for additional information that may be available. Be sure to include your name, contact information, academic affiliation, and the title, author, and edition of the book in question.

Contact us at collegesales@cqpress.com if we may assist you in your book selection or if you have feedback to share. Thank you for your consideration of CQ Press books.

1.     Future of Journalism

Can the Internet fill the reporting gaps caused by the decline of newspapers?

Are the new media bad for democracy?

Can philanthropy save journalism?

Background

Early Newspapers

The Times Model

'Golden Age'

Chain Reaction

Current Situation

Cutting Back

New Partnerships

Impact of the Web

Outlook: Newspapers Doomed?

Update

Bibliography 

Notes

2.     Media Ownership

Is the U.S. media industry too consolidated?

Did the FCC loosen its media-ownership rules too much?

Should Congress reimpose rules limiting television networks' ownership of programming?

Background

Regulating the Airwaves

Deregulation Begins

Complaints Increase

New Media Landscape

Current Situation

TV Industry Split

Reaction to Rules

Powell Under Fire

Cable Debate

Outlook: More Mergers?

Update

Bibliography 

Notes

3.     Future of Books 

Will the Google Book Search settlement restrict public access to digital books?

Will traditional print books disappear from the marketplace?

Will literary reading and writing survive online?

Background

In the Beginning

Golden Age

Decline of the Backlist

Dawn of the Digital Revolution

Current Situation

Publishing Woes

Revolutionary Changes

Appealing to Youths

Settlement Fallout

Bypassing Publishers

Outlook: The iPod of Books?

Update

Bibliography 

Notes

4.     Blog Explosion

Should policymakers be influenced by political blogs?

Should blogs tone down their political rhetoric?

Should bloggers have the same rights and privileges as reporters?

Background

Before Blogs

Birth of Blogs

Power of Blogs

Current Situation

Gaining Respect

Blogging at Work

Outlook: 'Starting Discussions'

Update

Bibliography 

Notes

5.     Online Privacy

Should advertisers' collection of data on Web users be regulated?

Are social networking sites doing enough to protect users' privacy?

Do federal privacy policies regarding the Internet need to be updated?

Background

Tracking Technologies 

Advertisers Self-regulate

Federal Tracking

Current Situation

Action in Congress

Advertisers Press Ahead

Outlook: ‘A Number of Issues’

Update

Bibliography 

Notes

6.     Press Freedom

Can media companies afford free-press battles?

Are independent bloggers entitled to free-press protections?

Is the era of mass-market objective journalism coming to an end?

Background

Shifting Boundaries

Changing Profession

Adversarial Journalism

Tide Turns

Current Situation

Shielding Everyone?

Subpoenaing Students

Freedom of Information

Outlook: Limited Resources

Bibliography 

Notes