Description
Book SynopsisPresents a theoretical and empirical examination of the market for television violence. This book approaches television violence as an example of market failure. It argues that television violence generates negative externalities, defined as costs borne by others than those involved in the production activity.
Trade ReviewWinner of the 1999 Goldsmith Book Prize, Joan Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics, and Public Policy at the JFK School of Government, Harvard University "This well-written and finely argued analysis begins by noting what we all-too-often take for granted: TV programming is in general profit driven, and, in particular, is strategically chosen to attract particular viewing audiences... Hamilton, effectively and adroitly, makes the analogy to air pollution in that in both cases producers do not consider the full societal and cultural costs of their activities."--Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly "Drawing on economic theory and a wealth of empirical evidence, in addition to his previous complementary professional research on pollution control, Hamilton ... contributes significantly to the literature on television violence and the individual and societal stake in it... The book offers a wealth of data... Recommended."--Choice
Table of ContentsList of Figures ix List of Tables xi Preface xvii CHAPTER 1 Why Is Television Violence a Public Policy Issue? 3 CHAPTER 2 Adult Audiences: Who Watches Violent Programming'? 51 CHAPTER 3 Children as Viewers 76 CHAPTER 4 Programming Violence 129 CHAPTER 5 Advertising: Who Supports Violent Programming? 163 CHAPTER 6 Producer Incentives 211 CHAPTER 7 Local News as (Violent) Entertainment? 239 CHAPTER 8 Dealing with Television Violence: Politics and Policies 285 Notes 323 Bibliography 367 Index 385
