Full Description
First published in 1973, The Shadow in the Cave explores the history of broadcasting conflicts and shows how they are built into the very roots of broadcasting. Every nation has built into its radio and television system a coded version of anxieties about the nature and effects of mass communication. The whole of the culture of broadcasting- its genres and its style - is an expression of the dilemmas which have bedevilled broadcasting form the moment of its invention. Anthony Smith's book provides for the first time a connected and carefully researched picture of the real issues involved in the debate about broadcasting. This book shows how the argument about levels of taste in broadcasting, about balance and fairness, about trivialisation, control and freedom of access are elements of a gigantic problem which threatens the whole structure of democratic freedom. The book shows some of the path to be taken if broadcasting is not to undermine the basic notion of freedom of expression. Topical, subtle and revealing, this is an important historical document, a must read for scholars and researchers of media studies, news media, media history, mass communication and political studies.
Contents
Acknowledgements Preface 1. The Riddle of the Masses 2. Building Citadels in the Air: The Broadcasting Institution 3. News- The Ugly Mirror 4. Sharing the Labours of Statesmanship 5. Broadcasting Autonomy Under Threat 6. France and the ORTF: Personal Power plus Television Monopoly Equals Gaullism 7. America: The People's Air 8. American Viewer's in Revolt: Talking Back to the Networks 9. Japan: The Television of Hard- Training 10. The Dutch System: The Pillars of Hilversum, the Issues of 'Access' 11. The Last Resource of Freedom Notes A Broadcasting Bibliography Index
