Synopses & Reviews
WHO PUT THE MEDIA IN CHARGE? Why does the media always blow the big stories? From 9/11 to Iraq's WMDs, from Iran's nuclear program to the "inevitable" Hillary Clinton???the divide between reality and the so-called "news" has never been more dramatic or dangerous. In The Kingmakers Senator Mike Gravel and Dr. David Eisenbach argue that the media's failure to present the public with an accurate view of the world poses a greater threat to American lives than terrorism. They also show how the greatest threat to our democracy is not money. It's the media. Long before the majority of voters pay attention to presidential elections, the media Kingmakers filter the presidential field and anoint the "leading candidates." Gravel and Eisenbach propose a powerful antidote to the Kingmakers' poisonous influence on American politics: participatory journalism. Blogs, chat rooms, virtual worlds and Internet contributions have empowered ordinary citizens to change the course of American
Synopsis
Americans have a healthy distrust of the mainstream media today. But, only the most sophisticated consumers of news know of just how the media has taken on the role of kingmakers for the benefit of corporations and their stockholders. Former Senator Mike Gravel, candidate for president, speaks eloquently about his own experience - how he was mocked for his positions in the 70's opposing the military draft and nuclear testing - and how now he has been transformed into a "maverick." Gravel details how the internet has begun to transform the way our political process works and to loosen the grip on elections long held by the rich and powerful.
Synopsis
Americans have a healthy distrust of the mainstream media today. Former Senator Gravel details how the Internet has begun to transform the way the political process works, and has loosened the grip on elections long held by the rich and powerful.
About the Author
Mike Gravel represented Alaska in the US Senate, 1969-81. Most prominently known for releasing the Pentagon Papers-the secret official study revealing the manipulations of successive US administrations that mislead the country into the Vietnam War-he lectures and writes about governance, foreign affairs, economics, environmental issues, and democracy.