100 Media Moments That Changed America

by Jim Willis

From the launching of America's first newspaper to YouTube's latest phone-videoed crime, the media has always been guilty of indulging America's obsession with controversy. This encyclopedia covers 100 events in world history from the 17th century to the present--moments that alone were major and minor, but ones that exploded in the public eye when the media stepped in. Topics covered include yellow journalism, the War of the Worlds radio broadcast, the Kennedy-Nixon debates, JFK's assassination, the Pentagon papers, and Hurricane Katrina. These are events that changed the way the media is used--not just as a tool for spreading knowledge, but as a way of shaping and influencing the opinions and reactions of America's citizens. Thanks to the media's representations of these events, history has been changed forever. From classified military plans that leaked out to the public to the first televised presidential debates to the current military tortures caught on tape, "100 Media Moments That Changed America" will demonstrate not only an ever-evolving system of news reporting, but also the ways in which historical events have ignited the media to mold news in a way that resonates with America's public. This must-have reference work is ideal for journalism and history majors, as well as for interested general readers.

Chapters are in chronological order, beginning with the 17th century. Each chapter starts with a brief introduction, followed by media event entries from that decade. Each entry explains the moment, and then delivers specific details regarding how the media covered the event, America's response to the coverage, and how the media changed history.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

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William James (Jim) Willis, a veteran news reporter and editor, earned his Ph.D. in Journalism from the University of Missouri. He has taught at the university level for three decades, chairing departments at Boston College, Ball State University, and Azusa Pacific University, and held endowed professorships at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Memphis. He has authored or co-authored 12 books on the media and one on college football. A frequent overseas lecturer, Willis has participated in six lecture tours for the U.S. State Department. He continues to work as a special correspondent and has covered the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, and the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the fall of the Berlin Wall. His honors include a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, and Undergraduate Faculty Scholar of the Year for 2009 at Azusa Pacific University.