Review by Choice Review
Lule (Lehigh Univ.) believes myths are the underpinnings of news stories. He argues that memorable news stories resonate--fit a pattern with reporters, editors, and readers--because of their underlying mythological motifs. The author contributes seven case studies of myth-laden reporting in The New York Times: for example, he finds that the coverage of Mark McGwire's 1999 home-run quest fits the motif of a "hero" and that the coverage of Mother Teresa fits an underlying myth of the "good mother." Lule follows a recent tradition of critics who note that the news media leave prevailing impressions about persons, institutions, and events regardless of journalistic efforts to remain impartial--critics like Gaye Tuchman, author of Making News: A Study in the Construction of Reality (CH, Sep'79). The book adds significantly to a literature that includes such important works as Herbert Gans's Deciding What's News (CH, Apr'80). Very well written and annotated, the volume should be a popular addition to journalism collections at all levels. Highly recommended. R. A. Logan University of Missouri--Columbia
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Booklist Review
Two new books on journalism examine the enduring storytelling function of the profession, which these days conveys timeless elements of human existence with the latest technology-driven trends that promise faster, if not always more analytical, news gathering. Lule, a journalism professor and former reporter, looks at the connection between modern news gathering and age-old mythology. While media critics might readily accept the notion of modern media as purveyors of untrue stories, Lule is referring here to myths as a means of conveying the great truths of life. Lule focuses on seven particular myths that surface in news reporting: myths of the victim, the scapegoat, the hero, the good mother, the trickster, the other world, and the flood. Coverage of natural disasters, obviously, represents the flood myth. Lule's more controversial parallels include the trickster myth and news coverage of Mike Tyson's rape trial, and the scapegoat myth and the violent death of Black Panther Huey Newton. Coverage of these black men reinforced social conventions and issued public condemnations of their lifestyles in ways that distorted news gathering. Lule also examines the hero myth in relation to the "godding up" of Mark McGwire, and the good mother myth in coverage of Mother Teresa, in this fascinating look at timeless and modern storytelling. Seib, a journalism professor, looks at the challenges to news delivery, profits, and ethics borne of new technology that encourages speed over accuracy. Seib sees a convergence in news gathering styles of various media that is inspired by computer-based media. Web TV is the best example of the trend that merges the slick presentation of television news with the "almost infinite information-providing capacity of the Internet." Faced with competitive pressures, many traditional news outlets (with newspapers leading the way) have developed their own Web sites, including linkages to other sites and sources, blurring the line between professional news organizations and others. Seib conveys the progression in live coverage from the Vietnam War as the "living room war" to the Gulf War as the "first live war" to the 1999 war in Kosovo as the "first Web war." This is a compelling look at how news gathering is changing, for better and worse.--Vanessa Bush
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Every culture has shared stories that help define its values. Lule (journalism, Lehigh Univ.) suggests that in modern society news is a form of storytelling that replaces the myths of earlier times. He analyzes seven news stories covered in the New York Times to illustrate how journalists link news items to familiar myths. For example, Lule reviews the Times's coverage of Mother Theresa, from the establishment of her order in 1950 until 1980, when she won the Nobel prize. There were no articles until 1968, but when she was "discovered," journalists used mythic terms to describe the "Good Mother." She was depicted as a maternal figure, praised for her kindness, and offered as a model for us all. Controversial issues that did not fit the mythic pattern such as her failure to advocate for social change in Calcutta or her opposition to family planning were not covered. Lule also examines news reports of Mike Tyson, Hurricane Mitch, and other subjects to illustrate six other myths: the victim, the scapegoat, the hero, the trickster, the other world, and the flood. Academic libraries will want this book for journalism collections. Judy Solberg, George Washington Univ. Lib., Washington, DC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Choice Review
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Library Journal Review
