Social Media and the Public Interest by Philip M. Napoli

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST by Philip M. Napoli is an important contribution and essential reference to the ongoing debate about the role and regulation of social media platforms. Praised by dana boyd and others, this work focuses on how social media platforms (like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp) have “unexpectedly become key platforms for how journalism (and disinformation posing as journalism) is produced, disseminated, and consumed.”  Napoli explores their “gatekeeping” roles, noting, for example, “that Facebook went from accounting for 16 percent of referrals to online news sites in 2013 to more than 40 percent in 2017” although he also later questions whether we have seen the peak. Napoli provides historical context, too, in that he contrasts the “unprecedented level of regulatory oversight” for radio broadcasting technology (e.g., federal licensing, indecency rules, and public affairs programming requirements) with less dramatic changes for other technologies like cable and the “pinballing … between the imposition and elimination of net neutrality regulations.” This work is written by an academic and while therefore somewhat wordy and jargon-laden, it should be viewed by more than policy wonks and be of concern to all. Napoli is writing “about a problem related to the effective functioning of the democratic process, …the very nature of the problem undermines the means for developing and adopting solutions.” Napoli is a Duke University Professor and thorough researcher; roughly a third of SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST contains extensive source notes and additional commentary.

Mascot Nation by Billings and Black

MASCOT NATION by Andrew C. Billings and Jason Edward Black will definitely be of interest to our students who are pursuing questions about the controversy over Native American representations in sports.  The authors, both university professors, utilize their expertise in broadcasting and communications to provide a reasoned, balanced approach to the subject. They cite many examples at both the professional level (Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves) and college one (Florida State Seminoles and the now-retired University of Illinois’ Chief Illiniwek). In fact, there is an entire chapter on the “Online Debate on the Acceptability of the Washington NFL Mascot” where Billings and Black discuss how an increasing number of journalists refused to use that name. They provide historical background, outline concerns of Native Americans, delve into specific cases, review national polling data and more, although often in an academic, jargon-laden manner (e.g., self-categorization, post colonialism).  Throughout, they are respectful of both sides of the argument, acknowledging fans’ affection for their team as well as concerns over appropriation and mis-representation.  The text concludes with a discussion of five avenues where change may be possible: line of decivility; education; economic pressure; journalistic protest; and legal challenges. Roughly fifteen percent of the book is devoted to notes and index.

Storm Lake by Art Cullen

I picked up STORM LAKE by Art Cullen in part because of its subtitle: “a chronicle of change, resilience, and hope from a heartland newspaper,” and I continued reading because Art Cullen is such a terrific storyteller.  After all, he won the Pulitzer Prize in 2017 for Editorial Writing about taking on corporate agribusiness for polluting the state's water and soil.  In STORM LAKE he describes his decision to join his brother in starting a local Iowa paper.  Almost immediately, I was picturing him trying to persuade his wife that this was a good career decision for their family of two young children. I also wanted to continue reading in order to learn more in response to questions like: What is happening “on the ground” in Iowa? How do you make a difference in your community? What impact does local journalism have and how does it relate to the “American Dream,” especially for immigrants trying to assimilate?

I started doing some quick research and found the statistics about the loss of local newspapers to be truly astounding.  Academics, national and international publications have been lamenting the change and noting the potential impacts on polarization, democracy, health care and investigative reporting.   

Here are just a few examples with links to additional studies and data:

Nov. 19, 2018: “Political polarization increases after local newspapers close” (Journalist’s Resource)

June 22, 2018: “Civic engagement declines when local newspapers shut down” (Journalist’s Resource)

June 5, 2018: “Fading local press raises fears for city democracy” (by subscription at Financial Times)

April 11, 2018: “The Crisis in Journalism has become a Crisis of Democracy” (Washington Post)

Plus, the University of North Carolina, in conjunction with The Knight Foundation, has compiled a comprehensive database and report on The Expanding News Desert which looks at newspaper closings since 2004 and who is filling the void.  

Interested? Plan to pick up STORM LAKE which will be on our shelves soon (or read a short excerpt here). This title should have appeal for faculty and students from a variety of areas and disciplines (Journalism and Senior Writing classes, Integrated Global Studies School, US History, American Studies, Civics and Junior Theme). Cullen’s STORM LAKE received starred reviews from Booklist and Kirkus.