News from Nowhere : Television and the News

A detailed analysis of the economic, political and journalistic structure of American network news organizations. Epstein shows that corporate policy shapes the direction of television news coverage; the essential aim of television is not to inform, but to induce the viewer to "stay tuned".

In an age when the American public relies more on television for its news than any other medium, Edward Jay Epstein''s detailed, probing analysis of the decision-making process in network news organizations has achieved the status of a classic. Mr. Epstein shows how internal corporate policy and budget requirements shape the direction of television news coverage. What we see on the network evening news, he demonstrates, does not mirror reality because TV''s essential aim is not to inform but to excite viewers enough to induce them to "stay tuned." "The best book ever written about any aspect of television."—Richard Schickel. "The book is burnished with insights on virtually every page. Epstein''s analysis seems to me incontestable, and is offered with great cogency, elegance, and sophistication."—Stephen J. Whitfield, Brandeis University. "A complex, fascinating book....Mr. Epstein shows that no educated citizen should rely exclusively or principally on TV news, but also that none should fail to watch it."—Wall Street Journal.