Soundbitten

Sarah Sobieraj is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Tufts University.

"Soundbittenis a compelling book whose insightful analysis is well supported by rich empirical data. It is a welcome contribution to the literature on politics, media, and activism." - Katrina Kimport (American Journal of Sociology) "Drawing on her extensive participant observation of social-movement organizations during several presidential campaigns, Sarah Sobieraj demonstrates how the pervasive mediatization of politics has jeopardized the ability of dissenting groups to engage in public discourse and so has altered the very fabric of both social movements and the civil society that the news media claim to inform." - Gaye Tuchman,author of Making News: A Study in the Construction of Reality "Sarah Sobieraj's Soundbitten is important, insightful, and disturbing. With gripping detail, she shows how activist groups try to get some of the spotlight that surrounds political conventions, and use mass media to project an image of themselves and their concerns. It's an uphill struggle, and media are far more willing to cover colorful events than cogent arguments. What's worse, in trying to cultivate the spotlight, organizations undermine their own capacity to promote meaningful political debate. Seeking legitimation from mainstream media, Sobieraj shows, seems like the unavoidableand almost impossible struggle for activists." - David S. Meyer,University of California, Irvine "Sarah Sobieraj's book is an important contribution but not only to literature on social movements and media, but also to activists in the field trying to affect change." - Erin Evans (Mobilization) "Soundbitten is a well-written and engaging book that both you and your students will enjoy. Sobierajs writing is accessible and the book is rife with interesting examples and colorful pictures that make the events outside of the conventions come alive...In short, Sobieraj outlines newavenues for research on civil society andthe public sphere and we ignore her findings at our own peril." - Deana A. Rohlinger (Contemporary Sociology) "Beyond its utility for activists, Soundbitten is essential for scholars of social movements and activism and would be a great read for an undergraduate or graduate social movements or political communication course. Additionally, this book is a valuable read for those interested in public relationspractitioners and scholars alikebecause it gives such detailed insights into the complex relationships between groups seeking media attention and the journalists reporting on them.-" - Michael P. Boyle (Political Science Quarterly) "Using her own fieldwork observations asa baseline, Sobieraj shows how activist groups' expectations of media coverage often fail to pan out. In this respect, the author providesa contemporary update to the conclusions of earlier scholars..." - S.B. Lichtman (Choice) "Soundbittenis an astute, engagingly written study of the dynamics and costs of media obsession by activist groups. Sarah Sobieraj busts the cliches of both movement organizations and sociologists with aplomb." - Todd Gitlin,Columbia University

• Acknowledgments1 What If the Whole World Isn't Watching? Activism, Presidential Campaigns, and the Thorny Struggle for Visibility2 Campaign Events as Catalysts: The Politicization of Public Space3 Streets as Stage: The Many Faces of Publicity 4 "Apparently They Don't Like Succinct and Articulate": Journalists, Activists, and the Battle over News5 Wait, Isn't That a Bird in Your Hand? Pushing Bystanders out of the Way in an Effort to Reach "the Public"6 What About Us? Bittersweet Residues of Mobilization Epilogue: Web 2.0 and Election 2008 Appendix: Methods NotesReferences Index About the Author