VIOLENCE AND THE MEDIA

by Gilda Berger ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 15, 1989

Are movies, books, music videos, and other media becoming more violent? Does media violence influence behavior? How can we balance First Amendment rights with protecting society, especially young people, from the negative influence of media violence? Documenting violence from Dial-a-Porn to rock concerts, Berger explores these and other questions. Unfortunately, while timely and interesting, this book in the ""Violence"" series relies on sensational data and an avalanche of quotes, often from marginal sources, to establish causal relationships. In support of the ""'Rock (or Rap) Music Is Harmful' Argument,"" she notes that ""on May 19, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a woman was raped after attending a Judas Priest concert""--hardly compelling evidence. Groups from Morality in Media to National Coalition Against Censorship are quoted without giving their credentials or bias, making it difficult to evaluate their comments, while an excessive number of footnotes (49 just for chapter one) necessitates constant flipping back and forth. Still, though flawed, this may be useful in presenting questions for further study and for providing citations, organizations, and sources for more information. Index.

Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1989

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 174

Publisher: Watts

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1989

Categories: CHILDREN'S