An "admirably researched and lucidly written" investigation of the corporate takeover of the media--and what it means for Americans --that "sho...
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Nov 05, 2010
Kirk
rated it: 
This book contributed mightily to one essay in my own work, Systems out of Balance. The real pioneer in this area is Robert McChesney, whose main message is the threat of corporate controlled media to democracy. Perhaps because of this context I can't quite agree with some of the criticisms I see in some of the reviews on Goodreads, and I'll use those as a foil for my own.
While I don't doubt that Klinenberg shares McChesney's sentiment, I would say the overall emphasis is on the pr More...
While I don't doubt that Klinenberg shares McChesney's sentiment, I would say the overall emphasis is on the pr More...
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Feb 04, 2009
Nicole
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Although lengthy, I thought this book provided a detailed review of what has been happening to the American mass media in the past few decades. Klinenberg offers plenty of anecdotes, which are helpful in illustrating his point about mass media. The book was long, however, and being someone who was fairly unfamiliar with this "hot topic," it was slightly hard to follow due to being so complex and full of intricate details. Once I was able to sort through all of the details, I found t
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Mar 19, 2008
Metrolingua
rated it: 
This is a must-read for anyone who cares about the media. I've worked in radio for a couple of years and know some folks on the TV and newspaper side, and absolutely see what he is talking about. Media consolidation and corporate greed affects all Americans, and working in media and seeing consolidation and syndication flatten out programming and destroy opportunities is really heartbreaking and frustrating.
I disagree with him on some points: it seemed that when he talked about medi More...
I disagree with him on some points: it seemed that when he talked about medi More...
Aug 14, 2007
Jeremy
rated it:
There's something oddly unsatisfying about this book, which critically reviews the last 30 or so years of American mass media evolution/consolidation (radio, TV, newspapers, internet) and essentially argues that the U.S. should turn back the FCC's regulatory clock to 20 or 30 years.
It's not the history Klinenberg reviews that is dissatisfying - I too despise Clear Channel, TV news, Murdoch's News Corp and fear the loss of "net neutrality," and he marshals the facts ably - i More...
It's not the history Klinenberg reviews that is dissatisfying - I too despise Clear Channel, TV news, Murdoch's News Corp and fear the loss of "net neutrality," and he marshals the facts ably - i More...
Mar 08, 2007
Mitchell
rated it:
This book is a history of the politics of American media in the United States since roughly 1980, but with discursions far earlier, and ramifications deep into the future. It doesn't just paint a bleak picture; it describes those citizens and activists who have been working to improve things, and inspires readers to act.
The one complaint about this book is that it doesn't delve deeply enough into the issue; as someone who has worked very deeply on these issues, and as someone who More...
The one complaint about this book is that it doesn't delve deeply enough into the issue; as someone who has worked very deeply on these issues, and as someone who More...
Nov 12, 2010
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Apr 22, 2008
Brayden
rated it:
Klinenberg is a muckraker of the 21st Century. In this book he takes on the media industry, looking at how increased ownership concentration (largely a product of the 1996 Telecom Act) has affected the practices of local media. I was aware of some of the problems (e.g., non-local broadcasts faked as local, video news clips), but the evidence here is overwhelming. Even if you've never thought much about how the media business is negatively influencing the information and culture you consume, y
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May 07, 2010
Jean Marie
rated it:
At best books make me question why it is I do what I do. This book did tons of that. I seriously hate Comcast and Clear Channel now. Media conglomeration is the devil.
I knew that media conglomeration made me ill since it's been the death of local radio, etc. but the fact that it can so negatively effect democracy is frightening.
Loved this book. Going to meet the guy in less than a month.
I knew that media conglomeration made me ill since it's been the death of local radio, etc. but the fact that it can so negatively effect democracy is frightening.
Loved this book. Going to meet the guy in less than a month.
Dec 17, 2009
Erin
rated it:
Engagingly written; tears apart my personal favorite whipping boy, corporations - in this case, big media of the likes of Clear Channel and the Murdoch empire - while offering some cause for optimism about ordinary people's ability to curtail their hegemony. Lots of things we should all know about media consolidation and its enormous effect on society.
Sep 03, 2007
Corinne
rated it:
This book has an incredible array of information. Fighting for Air covers the basics of why media is important for a healthy democracy and gives a ton of background on Low Power FM, the FCC, and media consolidation.
To get involved, check out:
http://www.stopbigmedia.com
http://www.freepress.net
To get involved, check out:
http://www.stopbigmedia.com
http://www.freepress.net
Mar 28, 2008
Keith
rated it:
Lots of super-important information here, but a pretty dry reportorial style mixed in with boilerplate rhetoric and too many extended quotes -- sort of like reading a dozen features in The Nation end-to-end, or an extended treatise on why you should eat your vegetables.
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