Compassion, Morality, and the Media (Issues in Cultural and Media Studies)

In this timely analysis, Tester (social and historical studies, U. of Portsmith) compares the views of social thinkers and journalists to provide parameters for examining compassion fatigue, whereby people get habituated to dreadful events or suffering through repeated exposure. He contrasts "bystander's journalism" with the "journalism of attachment,"and considers ways in which media may move or manipulate the audience to either moral action such as giving to relief agencies or to "naturalization" of events. Glossary terms appear in bold in the text. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)