How to Watch TV News: Revised Edition Paperback – June 24, 2008

I purchased this book as a textbook for a college course I was taking. It was very interesting and informative. I would have found it so even if I weren't required to read it for the course. It'll open your eyes to the world of media!

Something everyone should read. Relevant to today.

glad i bought this love it

How to Watch TV News is an excellent resource for the budding media theorist or the person who wants to know why New Orleans and the Iraq War do not get the same airtime as a news anchor saying "Keep $#&* that chicken!"The argument is simple - we need to learn HOW to watch TV. The understanding and properly contextualizing media (TV or otherwise) is not a given. It is not inherent to our DNA to know why some stories are presented in certain ways and others not at all.The book exposes the danger and resulting vulnerability we all face when engaging with our televisions in an uninformed way.

I was out of town when the book was delivered. The book was in good condition. Thank you.

Truly eye-opening and fascinating. I read the first edition quite a few years back and eagerly read the newly revised edition that addresses the web and how it further affects the devolving quality of America's television news programming. It's astounding how little we truly know about something that is such an integral part of our everyday lives. The world of news can be overwhelming, and as a medium can't always be trusted. This book illuminates its inner workings in an easy and interesting way. You will never "watch" news the same way again after reading this book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who tunes into TV news to stay "in the know." This book truly enlightened me! Written by two award winning veterans in the field of journalism, I was pleased with the vast wealth of information and insight provided in this book. Packed with industry facts and shrewd perceptions, the book made me seriously ponder "what exactly is TV news and just what have I been watching all these years?" This book is also very timely, as it delves into how the Internet has further altered the reality and integrity of the news. It's a must read for anyone who wants to fully understand TV news and how it can manipulate our world view.

You think you watch the news to learn of events; however, news "products" are designed to (1) sell commercials and (2) tell you what to think. There is no coherent way to present complex topics in 2 minutes. This is not a new phenomenon but was in place at its inception. Neil details this as an insider. Enjoy

This book may be useful for that have not done media studies...or lived in a cave all of their lives.Powers' work here testifies a fear of journalism, depicting these last ones as Machiavellian and all mighty.A lot of holes throughout, and overly simplified.If you really want to know about the news, than go and read THE SOCIOLOGY OF NEWS, or again any work from Elliott. This entire book made me angry and I might just burn it now.