The press and American politics : the new mediator /

This book analyses the power of the American print and electronic press in the political process. Davis (government, US Coast Guard Academy) makes the point that the press has greater autonomy than at any time in the more than 200 years of US history, but he asserts that, as an intermediary between the government and the governed, its greatest power is to set agendas not to dictate political opinions on the agenda items. Despite recent gains in autonomy the electronic media still are less free of government influence than are print media. Part 1 characterizes the players: the news gatherers and the news makers. Part 2 describes the evolution of the political role of the media through US history. Part 3 describes how the press treats each of the three branches of the federal government. Part 4 involves coverage of foreign affairs and public policy. Part 5 deals with coverage of campaigns and elections. The writing is clear and to the point. Illustrations are few. Documentation is thorough, and the lists of additional suggested readings are excellent. The index is helpful. Appropriate for lower-division undergraduates.-R. Halverson, Arizona State University