Inventing reality : the politics of the mass media
by Michael Parenti
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Description
How much of what the news media tell us is true, and how does it control our view of the world? In this passionate, controversial critique of the news media, Michael Parenti examines the subtle but profound ways in which the media influence and manipulate the public's perception of reality. It attacks the widely held belief that the news media are controlled by liberals and liberal opinion - and clearly depicts the news media as a controlling institution of the American capitalist system, an show more institution that serves the interests of the rich and powerful while appearing to serve the many. In this thoroughly revised and updated edition, Parenti dissects news coverage of the most recent world events - including the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Gulf War, the U.S. invasion of Panama, and the contra war in Nicaragua - and demonstrates how the media shape public awareness and attitudes through distortion or suppression of specific information. His argument will reeducate and enrage a public that has come to believe in an impartial, free press. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
I couldn't put this book down.
It really should be in our school curriculum, though it isn't for painfully obvious reasons.
He argues points that many have tried with perhaps more zeal and less success to argue.
I won't spoil it for you, but if you wish to think critically about the relationships between money, capitalism, culture, and what is 'allowed' vs 'disallowed' vs 'not even mentioned, and therefore simply forgotten or unknown', you need this book.
It really should be in our school curriculum, though it isn't for painfully obvious reasons.
He argues points that many have tried with perhaps more zeal and less success to argue.
I won't spoil it for you, but if you wish to think critically about the relationships between money, capitalism, culture, and what is 'allowed' vs 'disallowed' vs 'not even mentioned, and therefore simply forgotten or unknown', you need this book.
It was amazing how relevant this book is now despite its being 30 year old.
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Author Information
34+ Works 2,950 Members
Michael Parenti (Ph.D., Yale University) is an internationally known, award-winning author, scholar, and lecturer who addresses a wide variety of political and cultural subjects. Among his recent books are God and His Demons (2010), Contrary Notions: The Michael Parenti Reader (2007), The Culture Struggle (2006), The Assassination of Julius Caesar show more (2003), and Democracy for the Few, 9th edition (2010). show less
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Inventing reality : the politics of the mass media
- Original publication date
- 1986
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Sociology, General Nonfiction, Politics and Government
- DDC/MDS
- 070.1 — Computer science, information & general works News media, journalism & publishing Documentary media, educational media, news media; journalism; publishing Theory And Instruction
- LCC
- PN4888 .P6 .P37 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Journalism. The periodical press, etc. By region or country
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 308
- Popularity
- 103,288
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.13)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 1
