"The authorsahave analyzed the television problem brilliantly.
They had come up with a whole set of new insights, and their backup
research always is fascinating to read."-Saturday Review "A
cautious, research-based bookahopefully it will set a
trend."-Ithiel de Sola Pool, Public Opinion Quarterly After more
than forty years of studying its political implications, Kurt and
Gladys Lang put the power of television into a unique perspective.
Through carefully compiled case studies, they reveal surprising
truths about TV's effect on American political life, and explode
some popular myths. Their theme throughout is that television gives
the viewer the illusion of being a favored spectator at some
event-he "sees for himself," in other words. But, in fact, it
conveys a reality different from that experienced by an eyewitness.
Because the televised version of an event reaches more people, it
has greater impact on the public memory and comes to overshadow
what actually happened. The Langs tell in detail how television
shapes events; how public figures and political institutions adjust
their tactics to exploit the effects they-and millions of
viewers-think television has. They examine such issues as whether
or not network television projections influence election results.
They consider the accuracy of the networks increasingly
sophisticated techniques for "calling" election outcomes well
before polls close. Such concerns have never been more at the
forefront of the public consciousness than in the wake of the 2000
presidential election. The Langs assess the research to date and
clarify the effects of early TV projections on voter turnout and
election outcomes, and look at the implications for our system of
government. A model of excellent policy analysis, this highly
readable volume will interest decision-makers and analysts, as well
as students of journalism, broadcasting, political behavior, and
voters looking forward to the next election. Kurt Lang was a
professor of sociology and political science at Stony Brook before
becoming the Director of the School of Communications at the
University of Washington. Gladys Engel Lang is a professor of
communications with joint appointments in Political Science and
Sociology at the University of Washington. In addition to
Television and Politics, the Langs have also co-authored The Battle
for Public Opinion: the President, the Press and the Polls during
Watergate, Voting and Nonvoting, and Collective Dynamics.
General
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