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Media Literacy Review
Center for Advanced Technology in Education - College of Education - University of Oregon - Eugene
Television: United States

Bennett, James R. (1997), 'The Public Broadcasting System: censorship, self-censorship and the struggle for independence', Journal of Popular Film & Television 24:4, Winter. Problems and solutions for PBS in the USA.

Bianco, Robert (2000), '10 ways to fix TV', USA Today May 12. Following up 10 suggestions from 1999, Bianco offers another 10 suggestions for US television. These include 'Don't let up on diversity' and 'Reinvigorate PBS'.

Bowman, Karlyn (1997), 'The reach of television', American Enterprise Sept/Oct. How Americans use television in the 1990s.

Carter, Bill (1998), 'Shrinking network TV audiences set off alarm and reassessment', New York Times Nov 22. By the middle of November, network viewer totals were down by about 9% from last season, with viewers unenthusiastic about new fare.

Clark, John (1996), 'Shifting engagements' lessons from the 'Bowling Alone' debate'. Hudson Briefing Paper number 196, October. A challenge to the influential contentions of US political scientist Robert Putnam, who argues that Americans are becoming increasing isolated and unwilling to participate in politics and social activity--all because of television! This paper is a convincing retort to such allegations.

Diamond, Edwin & Robert Silverman (1995), 'Virtual politics, as seen on TV', The Times Higher Oct 27. How the media image dominates American political debates.

Fabrikant, Geraldine (1998), 'Few bidders for Networks despite good curb appeal', The New York Times Aug 31. Which is another way of saying that the buying and selling of television systems in the USA is slowing.

Hickey, Neil (1996), 'What's at stake in the spectrum war?', CJR July/Aug. The race to tie up digital television in the US>

Ledbetter, James (1996), 'Merge overkill', Village Voice Jan 16. How media mergers are threatening open debate in the USA. Includes a very useful full-page to US media ownership.

Lieberman, Joe (1996), 'Why parents hate TV', Policy Review May/June. A Democratic US Senator presumes to speak for all American parents, and defends the V-Chip.

Matthei, Harry (1997), 'Inventing the commercial', American Heritage May/June. The very earliest days of television advertising in the USA.

Meisler, Andy (1995), 'To reach Generation X, hire Generation X', New York Times Sept 25. How US networks are attempting to chase a changing television audience

Mifflin, Lawrie (1998), 'Putting the 'M' back in MTV', The New York Times Aug 31. How MTV is moving back to music.

"The National Entertainment State', The Nation June 3, 1996. A special issue of the this American left-wing journal, which features critical perspectives from Oliver Stone, Peggy Charren, Michael Arlen, Mark Crispin Miller (and numerous others) on media ownership in North America. Includes an invaluable media ownership centrefold.

Schmuckler, Eric (1997), 'Search for tomorrow', WorkingWomen July/Aug. Problems with the daytime TV audience, with the decline of soaps and game shows.

Thomas, Richard (1997), 'Queen of the American drean comes unstuck', Guardian Weekly May 18. How Oprah Winfrey has 'fallen under her own spell..the belief that [she] can solve any problem'.

Thompson, Robert J. (1997), 'Television's second Golden Age: The Quality Shows', Television Quarterly 16:6. Argues that 'quality' in US television resides in a generation of programmes spawned by Hill Street Blues.


        

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