Steven M. Hallock is Assistant Professor of Journalism at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He is a 30-year veteran newspaper journalist, serving most recently as managing editor of three daily newspapers in Ohio. He has been an editorial page editor, features editor, and writer at newspapers in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Idaho, Arizona, and Wyoming.

"The number of competing major newspapers has shrunk from 288 in 1930 to fewer than 30 today, and this makes media watchers suspect that something important is lacking in the marketplace of ideas that protects a free society. Hallock confirms that suspicion here, first establishing a historical framework and then analyzing newspaper editorials past and present to establish their effectiveness. Scrupulously researched and packed with statistical charts and graphs, this book takes to task the bland, homogenized editorial offerings of the present era, demonstrating ways in which the corporate model for news diminishes public debate and dilutes the exchange of ideas in American society. Replete with examples of robust, informed opinion writing that arose from local competition in newspapers of the past, this volume in the Democracy and the News series makes a convincing argument in favor of strong, competing editorial voices that promote vital debate, shape public opinion, and set the political agenda for communities and the nation....[a]dds solid support in favor of independent and competitive media outlets. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals." - Choice

Steven M. Hallock is Assistant Professor of Journalism at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He is a 30-year veteran newspaper journalist, serving most recently as managing editor of three daily newspapers in Ohio. He has been an editorial page editor, features editor, and writer at newspapers in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Idaho, Arizona, and Wyoming.

"The number of competing major newspapers has shrunk from 288 in 1930 to fewer than 30 today, and this makes media watchers suspect that something important is lacking in the marketplace of ideas that protects a free society. Hallock confirms that suspicion here, first establishing a historical framework and then analyzing newspaper editorials past and present to establish their effectiveness. Scrupulously researched and packed with statistical charts and graphs, this book takes to task the bland, homogenized editorial offerings of the present era, demonstrating ways in which the corporate model for news diminishes public debate and dilutes the exchange of ideas in American society. Replete with examples of robust, informed opinion writing that arose from local competition in newspapers of the past, this volume in the Democracy and the News series makes a convincing argument in favor of strong, competing editorial voices that promote vital debate, shape public opinion, and set the political agenda for communities and the nation....[a]dds solid support in favor of independent and competitive media outlets. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals." - Choice

Steven M. Hallock is Assistant Professor of Journalism at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He is a 30-year veteran newspaper journalist, serving most recently as managing editor of three daily newspapers in Ohio. He has been an editorial page editor, features editor, and writer at newspapers in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, Idaho, Arizona, and Wyoming.

"The number of competing major newspapers has shrunk from 288 in 1930 to fewer than 30 today, and this makes media watchers suspect that something important is lacking in the marketplace of ideas that protects a free society. Hallock confirms that suspicion here, first establishing a historical framework and then analyzing newspaper editorials past and present to establish their effectiveness. Scrupulously researched and packed with statistical charts and graphs, this book takes to task the bland, homogenized editorial offerings of the present era, demonstrating ways in which the corporate model for news diminishes public debate and dilutes the exchange of ideas in American society. Replete with examples of robust, informed opinion writing that arose from local competition in newspapers of the past, this volume in the Democracy and the News series makes a convincing argument in favor of strong, competing editorial voices that promote vital debate, shape public opinion, and set the political agenda for communities and the nation....[a]dds solid support in favor of independent and competitive media outlets. Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals." - Choice