How the Cold War Broke the News
The Surprising Roots of Journalism's Decline
1st Edition
Published on 26. September 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
252 pages
978-1-5095-6638-9 (ISBN)
Description
Most of us would agree that American journalism has problems. Rushed reporting and thin coverage. Timidity in the face of adversity. Polarized perspectives and euphemistic language. Groupthink about complicated events. While much blame has been levelled at big tech, Barbie Zelizer traces the decline of American journalism to the Cold War. She makes the bold claim that Cold War-era practices are to blame for the state of journalism today, undermining a once trusted media environment. This groundbreaking book shows how journalism's current problems can be traced back to customs developed over half a century ago and demonstrates how they've continued to upend journalism, journalists and the news ever since.
We all need a news environment that works. This book tells us why it doesn't and offers a plan to make it better. If our news is better, so is our democracy. And, if our democracy is better, we may be too.
We all need a news environment that works. This book tells us why it doesn't and offers a plan to make it better. If our news is better, so is our democracy. And, if our democracy is better, we may be too.
Reviews / Votes
"Timely and original, Zelizer's book is both an urgent call for journalism to meet the moment of our democratic emergency and an expose of how Cold War narratives, logic, and emotions still drive news coverage."Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present
"Zelizer brilliantly demonstrates that 'the past is never dead. It's not even past' in contemporary US journalism. With a keen eye for detail, she convincingly dissects the historical weight of the Cold War on professional conventions that continue to afflict journalism. The book is packed with insights about how old news tropes are sadly woven in the present, and why we should be worried."
Silvio Waisbord, author of An Introduction to Journalism: Thinking Globally
"Written with clarity and urgency Zeliver tells a gripping story of how 'journalism has failed colossally' and continues to repeat mistakes etched in the Cold War. A fierce and much needed critique with a siren call for change - and a stark warning to journalists everywhere. A must-read."
Natalie Fenton, author of Democratic Delusions
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 225 mm
Width: 148 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
368 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5095-6638-9 (9781509566389)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
11/2025
1st Edition
Wiley
€16.99
Available for download
Book
09/2025
1st Edition
Polity Press
€60.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Barbie Zelizer is Raymond Williams Professor of Communication and Director of the Center for Media at Risk at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania.
Content
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Where It Began
Chapter One: How It Took Hold
Chapter Two: Enmity, Then and Now
Chapter Three: Invisibility, Then and Now
Chapter Four: Outreach, Then and Now
Conclusion: Why It Needs To End
Endnotes
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Where It Began
Chapter One: How It Took Hold
Chapter Two: Enmity, Then and Now
Chapter Three: Invisibility, Then and Now
Chapter Four: Outreach, Then and Now
Conclusion: Why It Needs To End
Endnotes