In his review essay, Hrynyshyn explains that corporate control of the media has long been identified by critics such as Noam Chomsky & Edward Herman (1988.) Later, communications scholars, in turn, argued that these critics had perceived economic structures in a rigid way, not recognizing the agency of the audience.
Study Questions
1. Sum up Bagdikian’s approach to analysis of media monopoly? What are some of the reviewer’s objections?
2. McChesney provides a conservative critique of “the liberal media.” It is hard to deny that this critique serves the interest of an increasingly conservative mainstream media trying to retain an air of balance and objectivity. Why is the Internet not an alternative? Why does the reviewer not buy McChesney’s analysis of the Internet?
3. What are the three common problems shared by the books under review?
4. The critical assumption that neo-liberal or right wing forces have conquered the media overlooks much successful criticism of the conservative establishment. Can you give an example of movements or incidents of audience resistance to corporate media pressures on public opinion?
