Do we follow stories like the O. J. Simpson trial or the affairs of the British royal family with a puritan wish to judge? A puerile desire to observe? Are scandals a form of legitimate journalism, or are they a sign of a society in moral degeneration? These questions are addressed and assessed in Media Scandals, the first book to take a comprehensive look at how scandals are produced and played out in modern culture. This book analyzes the full breadth of media scandals, from their history and defining characteristics to ...
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Do we follow stories like the O. J. Simpson trial or the affairs of the British royal family with a puritan wish to judge? A puerile desire to observe? Are scandals a form of legitimate journalism, or are they a sign of a society in moral degeneration? These questions are addressed and assessed in Media Scandals, the first book to take a comprehensive look at how scandals are produced and played out in modern culture. This book analyzes the full breadth of media scandals, from their history and defining characteristics to the social and cultural consequences produced by their proliferation. The lucid introduction by James Lull and Stephen Hinerman sets the terms and tone for essays by an international group of authors representing a variety of academic disciplines and theoretical viewpoints. The topics considered include the ways in which scandalous content can and cannot be globalized, the increased visibility and accountability of public figures created by media's scrutiny, and how different communities react to scandals based on issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality.
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