Radio Utopia: Postwar Audio Documentary in the Public Interest (The History of Media and Communication)
$111.76
Description
Book Synopsis: As World War II drew to a close and radio news was popularized through overseas broadcasting, journalists and dramatists began to build upon the unprecedented success of war reporting on the radio by creating audio documentaries. Focusing particularly on the work of radio luminaries such as Edward R. Murrow, Fred Friendly, Norman Corwin, and Erik Barnouw, Radio Utopia: Postwar Audio Documentary in the Public Interest traces this crucial phase in American radio history, significant not only for its timing immediately before television, but also because it bridges the gap between the end of the World Wars and the beginning of the Cold War.
Matthew C. Ehrlich closely examines the production of audio documentaries disseminated by major American commercial broadcast networks CBS, NBC, and ABC from 1945 to 1951. Audio documentary programs educated Americans about juvenile delinquency, slums, race relations, venereal disease, atomic energy, arms control, and other issues of public interest, but they typically stopped short of calling for radical change. Drawing on rare recordings and scripts, Ehrlich traces a crucial phase in the evolution of news documentary, as docudramas featuring actors were supplanted by reality-based programs that took advantage of new recording technology. Paralleling that shift from drama to realism was a shift in liberal thought from dreams of world peace to uneasy adjustments to a cold war mentality.
Influenced by corporate competition and government regulations, radio programming reflected shifts in a range of political thought that included pacifism, liberalism, and McCarthyism. In showing how programming highlighted contradictions within journalism and documentary, Radio Utopia reveals radio's response to the political, economic, and cultural upheaval of the post-war era.
Details
Looking to delve into the fascinating world of postwar audio documentary? Look no further than Radio Utopia: Postwar Audio Documentary in the Public Interest. This captivating book takes you on a journey through American radio history, focusing on the transformative period between the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. Authored by Matthew C. Ehrlich, this meticulously researched book examines the production of audio documentaries by major American commercial broadcast networks such as CBS, NBC, and ABC from 1945 to 1951.
Radio Utopia sheds light on how radio programming evolved during this time, transitioning from docudramas featuring actors to reality-based programs that utilized new recording technology. With rare recordings and scripts as sources, Ehrlich showcases the pivotal role audio documentaries played in educating Americans about important social issues such as juvenile delinquency, slums, race relations, venereal disease, atomic energy, arms control, and more. Gain a deeper understanding of this crucial phase in the evolution of news documentary and its impact on the political, economic, and cultural landscape of the post-war era.
What sets Radio Utopia apart from other books on the subject is its exploration of the tensions and contradictions within journalism and documentary. The book uncovers how corporate competition and government regulations influenced radio programming, reflecting shifts in political thought that ranged from pacifism and liberalism to the rise of McCarthyism. This captivating narrative not only offers a wealth of historical insights but also serves as a thought-provoking reflection on the ways in which media has responded to societal changes.
Ready to embark on a journey into the rich history of postwar audio documentary? Order your copy of Radio Utopia: Postwar Audio Documentary in the Public Interest today and discover the fascinating world of radio in the aftermath of World War II. Experience the transformative power of audio storytelling and gain a deeper understanding of the political, economic, and cultural upheaval that shaped the post-war era.
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