From the
Michael Parenti Political Archive:
How much of what the news media tell us is true, and how does it control our view of the world?
In this passionate, provocative critique of the news media, Michael Parenti examines the subtle but profound ways in which the media influence and manipulate the public's perception of reality. It attacks the widely held belief that the news media are controlled by liberals and liberal opinion — and clearly depicts the news media as a controlling institution of the American capitalist system, an institution that serves the interests of the rich and powerful while appearing to serve the many.
In this thoroughly revised and updated edition, Parenti dissects news coverage of the most recent world events [prior to 1993] — including the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Gulf War, the U.S. invasion of Panama, and the contra war in Nicaragua — and demonstrates how the media shape public awareness and attitudes through distortion or suppression of specific information. His argument will reeducate and enrage a public that has come to believe in an impartial, free press.
Now in its second edition, this book was the first comprehensive critique of the news media.
Contents
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From Cronkite's Complaint to Orwell's Oversight
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"Freedom of the Press Belongs to the Man Who Owns One"
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Who Controls the News?
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Objectivity and Government Manipulation
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The Big Sell
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Giving Labor the Business
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"Liberal" Media, Conservative Bias
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The Media Fights the Red Menace
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Doing the Third World
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For the New World Order
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Propaganda Themes
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Methods of Misrepresentation
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Culture, Control and Resistance
Appendix: A Guide to Alternative Media
About the Author
Michael Parenti received his Ph.D. in political science from Yale University in 1962. He has taught at a number of colleges and universities, in the United States and abroad. His writings have been translated into Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Turkish, Polish, German, Bangla, and Dutch.
He is the author of fourteen books (see below). His articles have appeared in CovertAction Quarterly; Monthly Review; Prevailing Winds; The Humanist; New Political Science; Nature, Society and Thought; The Nation; Z Magazine; Dollars and Sense and numerous other publications.
He appears on radio and television talk shows to discuss current issues and ideas from his published works. Dr. Parenti's talks and commentaries are played on radio stations to enthusiastic audiences in the U.S., Canada and abroad.
He lectures on college campuses and before a wide range of audiences across the country. His books are enjoyed by both lay readers and scholars, and have been used extensively in college courses.
Among the many topics he treats are:
- Democracy and Economic Power
- Imperialism and U.S. Interventionism
- Political Bias in the U.S. News Media
- Ideology and History
- Race, Gender, and Class
- The Overthrow of Communism
- Fascism: Past and Present
See also:
Articles & Selections from Published Works of Dr. Parenti http://www.michaelparenti.org/articles.html
A brief, unauthorized history of politically motivated faculty firings at the University of Vermont since 1972
http://www.uvm.edu/~radphil/uvmfirings.htm
Professor Will Miller's Introduction for Dr. Michael Parenti before an overflow audience on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of his firing by the UVM Trustees.
Books by Michael Parenti
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To Kill a Nation: The Attack on Yugoslavia,
2001; Reveals a decade-long disinformation campaign waged by Western leaders and NATO officials in their pursuit of free-market "reforms." The political and economic destabilization of Yugoslavia continues today, Parenti shows, as does the forced privatization and Third Worldization of the entire region.
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History as Mystery,
1999; how history is manufactured and distorted by the victors, from early Christianity to today.
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America Besieged,
1998.
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Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism,
1997.
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Dirty Truths,
1996; selected readings on politics, ideology, media, conspiracy, ethnic life, and class power.
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Against Empire,
1995; critiques U.S. imperialism and the New World Order at home and abroad.
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Democracy for the Few,
1995; now in its sixth edition, a critical study of the U.S. political system.
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Inventing Reality: The Politics of News Media, 1993; now in its second edition, the first comprehensive critique of the news media.
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The Sword and the Dollar: Imperialism, Revolution, and the Arms Race,
1989; an exposé of U.S. cold war history and interventionism in the Third World.
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Make-Believe Media,
1992; the hidden politics of the entertainment media.
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Land of Idols: Political Mythology in America,
1994; challenges many of the deceptions put forth by conservative elites.
- Power and the Powerless, 1978
Reviews
"America's foremost progressive writer and speaker, Parenti is illuminating, penetrating, and never afraid of the truth."— James Petras
SUNY professor and noted author
"Radical in the true sense of the word, [Parenti] digs at the roots which...sustain our public consciousness."
Los Angeles Times Book Review
Related books
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Decoding Spin and Lies in Mainstream News
by Norman Solomon
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The Political Economy of the Mass Media
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Corporate Media and the Threat to Democracy
by Robert W. McChesney
Censored 2000:
The Year's Top 25 Censored Stories
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Derailing Democracy:
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The Real Terror Network:
Terrorism in Fact and Propaganda
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The Hidden Persuaders:
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Deadly Deceits:
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Toxic Sludge is Good for You!:
Lies, Damn Lies and the Public Relations Industry
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The Decline and Fall of the American Empire
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Corporate Predators:
The Hunt for Mega-Profits and the Attack on Democracy
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Rogue State:
A Guide to the World's Only Superpower
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Killing Hope:
U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since WWII
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The Beast Reawakens
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NATO in the Balkans:
Voices of Opposition
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NATO TARGETS
(video)
produced by Gloria La Riva
Against Empire
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Saving Private Power:
The Hidden History of "The Good War"
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Market Elections:
How "Democracy" Serves the Rich
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A People's History of the United States:
1492 — Present
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Globalize This!
The Battle Against the World Trade Organization and Corporate Rule
edited by Kevin Danaher and Roger Burbach; multiple authors
Lies My Teacher Told Me:
Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
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