The Idea of Public Journalism [Paperback]

This volume offers a critical and constructive examination of the claims of public journalism, the controversial movement aimed at getting the press to promote and indeed improve--not merely report on--the quality of public life. From leading contributors, original essays refine the terms of the debate by situating it within a broad cultural, historical, and philosophical framework.
Exploring the movement's promise as well as its problems, the book sheds light on vital issues of political power, freedom of expression, democratic participation, and press responsibility.

Glasser assembles major figures in academia to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of public journalism and to advance the ongoing discussion of the movement. Contributors mix insight and historical background in their superbly written chapters. Anyone interested in public journalism will find much here to contemplate. --Davis Buzz Merritt, Senior Editor,The Wichita Eagle, author ofPublic Journalism and Public Life

In this book, Glasser draws together voices that cut through the muddy rhetoric that has so marred discussion of public journalism. The authors provide historical perspective and offer diverse lenses through which to view this movement. With wisdom and elegance, they help us engage the truly profound questions that public journalism raises for the future of our democracy. --Frances Moore Lappe, editor-in-chief,The American News Serviceand co-author,The Quickening of America: Rebuilding our Nation, Remaking our Lives

Theodore L. Glasser is professor of communication and director of the Graduate Program in Journalism at Stanford University. His work has appeared in a variety of publications, includingCritical Studies in Mass Communication,Journal of Communication,Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly,Nieman Reports,The Quill, andThe New York Times Book Review.Cuslƒ0