The outrage industry : political opinion media and the new incivility

Resource Information

The work The outrage industry : political opinion media and the new incivility represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in European University Institute Library. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

The outrage industry : political opinion media and the new incivility

Title remainder

political opinion media and the new incivility

Statement of responsibility

Jeffrey M. Berry and Sarah Sobieraj

Creator

• Berry, Jeffrey M., 1948-

Contributor

• Sobieraj, Sarah

Author

• Sobieraj, Sarah

Subject

• Political culture -- United States
• Television and politics -- United States
• Television in politics -- United States
• Television viewers -- United States
• United States -- Politics and government -- 21st century -- In mass media
• United States -- Politics and government -- 21st century -- Public opinion
• Mass media -- Political aspects -- United States
• Mass media and public opinion -- United States

Language

eng

Summary

In early 2012, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh claimed that Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown University law student who advocated for insurance coverage of contraceptives, "wants to be paid to have sex." Over the next few days, Limbaugh attacked Fluke personally, often in crude terms, while a powerful backlash grew, led by organizations such as the National Organization for Women. But perhaps what was most notable about the incident was that it wasn't unusual. From Limbaugh's venomous attacks on Fluke to liberal radio host Mike Malloy's suggestion that Bill O'Reilly "drink a vat of poison... and choke to death, " over-the-top discourse in today's political opinion media is pervasive. Anyone who observes the skyrocketing number of incendiary political opinion shows on television and radio might conclude that political vitriol on the airwaves is fueled by the increasingly partisan American political system. But in The Outrage Industry Jeffrey M. Berry and Sarah Sobieraj show how the proliferation of outrage-the provocative, hyperbolic style of commentary delivered by hosts like Ed Schultz, Bill O'Reilly, and Sean Hannity- says more about regulatory, technological, and cultural changes, than it does about our political inclinations. Berry and Sobieraj tackle the mechanics of outrage rhetoric, exploring its various forms such as mockery, emotional display, fear mongering, audience flattery, and conspiracy theories. They then investigate the impact of outrage rhetoric-which stigmatizes cooperation and brands collaboration and compromise as weak-on a contemporary political landscape that features frequent straight-party voting in Congress. Outrage tactics have also facilitated the growth of the Tea Party, a movement which appeals to older, white conservatives and has dragged the GOP farther away from the demographically significant moderates whose favor it shouldbe courting. Finally, The Outrage Industry examines how these shows sour our own political lives, exacerbating anxieties about political talk and collaboration in our own communities. Drawing from a rich base of evidence, this book forces all of us to consider the negative consequences that flow from our increasingly hyper-partisan political media".--

Member of

• Oxford studies in postwar American political development

Assigning source

Provided by publisher

Cataloging source

DKDLA

Index

no index present

Literary form

non fiction

Series statement

Oxford studies in postwar American political development