HOW TRUE: A Skeptic's Guide to Believing the News

by Thomas Griffith ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 3, 1974

A journalist of four decades -- Time, Life's last editor -- puts his career on the line as he puts it on the wire, more to discuss an attitude than to lay down arguments or biases (and along the way, writing a pro's prose that's a joy to read, there are intriguing and telling comments on Luce and the empire). Like a sharp investigative reporter, Griffith doesn't let his subject off easily: how influential is the press? (only to the degree that the facts uncovered have power); what of monopolies? (one wonders if bigness actually does bring about more self-restraint as he contends); how competitive is television coverage? (the press has been ""shameful and shortsighted"" in not protesting the erosion of First Amendment rights for broadcasting). Griffith analyzes why journalists became overwhelmed by the fast-breaking stories of the '60's and, in a sense, missed the ""big"" one -- caught up in radical chic, get Whitey rhetoric, the noise on the campus, the press ignored the ""silent majority,"" disregarded legitimate grievances as simply racism and left the door open for Wallace, Nixon and friends who didn't (to their own obvious advantage). The story behind the news, fit to print and well worth reading -- as Griffith holds an open editorial meeting to rethink goals and objectives.

Pub Date: May 3, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown-- A.M.P.

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1974

Categories: NONFICTION