The Spot: Rise of Political Advertising on Television - Hardcover

Diamond, Edwin; Bates, Stephen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0262540436 ISBN 13: 9780262540438

Publisher: MIT Press, 1986

Synopsis

In this third edition of their study of the political commerical, or "polispot", veteran media analysts Edwin Diamond and Stephen Bates reveal the backstage stories of the 1988 presidential campaign - the Ailes-Atwater media mastery, the Dukakis team's babel of TV voices, Willie Horton's transformation from convict to celebrity. The authors take a close critical look at the key political ads of 1988 and 1990, with particular attention to the subtexts directed at voters' racial attitudes and fears. They also preview the 30-second arguments and attacks of the 1992 media campaign. In a new chapter, Diamond and Bates examine the case against spots. They take a look at the societal ills that critics have blamed on TV campaigns, including mudslinging, misrepresentation, and malaise. They evaluate the proposals to ban or severely restrict the spot. They also assess the growing press scrutiny of TV campaigns, such as the use of "truth boxes" in newspapers.

About this title

Review

" "The Spot" will go a long way toward helping the reader understand the televised political advertising that's about to swamp us." -- Washington Post

& quot; The Spot will go a long way toward helping the reader understand the televised political advertising that's about to swamp us.& quot; -- Washington Post

""The Spot" will go a long way toward helping the reader understand the televised political advertising that's about to swamp us." --Washington Post

About the Author

Edwin Diamond was Professor of Journalism at New York University, where he directed the News Study Group, and was media columnist for New York magazine.

Edition details

• Publisher: MIT Press
• Publication date: 1986
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0262540436
• ISBN 13: 9780262540438
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 432