Most people assume professional journalists are the legitimate source for political information and that the role of 'good' citizens is to watch, read or listen to the news. While this model has some valuable aspects, it also has very narrow notions of politically relevant information and the role of citizens. Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Is there a difference between Tina Fey and Katie Couric?: policing the boundaries between news and entertainment -- Media regimes and American democracy -- And that's the way it (was): the rise and fall of the age of broadcast news -- Political reality, political power and political relevance in the changing media environment -- Politics in the emerging new media age: hyperreality, multiaxiality, and the Clinton scandals -- When the media really matter: coverage of the environment in a changing media environment -- 9/11 and its aftermath: constructing a political spectacle in the new media environment -- Shaping a new media regime.