Thank you, Caroline--excellent article on the background of the Hutchins Commission, its report, and some of the well-known figures involved in it, which more of us should know more about. Good to see Robert Leigh and his role described again--your previous article on the Public Library Inquiry fills in a gap for many of us as well. I look forward to reading Part Two!
Thanks, Susan! Yes, advertising is mentioned in the report, though arguably in a more indirect way than other factors. It's encompassed in broader critiques of private enterprise and how that unduly influences coverage of public affairs. Here's a choice quote: "The American newspaper is now as much a medium of entertainment, specialized information, and advertising as it is of news...The magazines of largest circulation provide a mixed menu of print, pictures, stories, articles, and gossip, to entertain and inform persons of all ages and tastes, with advertising occupying half or more of each issue."
Thank you, Caroline--excellent article on the background of the Hutchins Commission, its report, and some of the well-known figures involved in it, which more of us should know more about. Good to see Robert Leigh and his role described again--your previous article on the Public Library Inquiry fills in a gap for many of us as well. I look forward to reading Part Two!
Thanks, Craig!
I remember quite well my portable Olivetti period in the newspaper business of the 1970s!
Bellissima!
Nice piece. Do you know if the Commission discussed the effect of advertisers on how or what gets covered?
Thanks, Susan! Yes, advertising is mentioned in the report, though arguably in a more indirect way than other factors. It's encompassed in broader critiques of private enterprise and how that unduly influences coverage of public affairs. Here's a choice quote: "The American newspaper is now as much a medium of entertainment, specialized information, and advertising as it is of news...The magazines of largest circulation provide a mixed menu of print, pictures, stories, articles, and gossip, to entertain and inform persons of all ages and tastes, with advertising occupying half or more of each issue."