Joshua D. Nathan

Can TV News Change History? Joshua D. Nathan

In an age when technology is evolving at an exponential pace, our reliance on it is increasing just as fast. But during, and immediately after, Hurricane Katrina, almost all communication in the area abruptly ceased. Only one medium was able to effectively operate and inform the nation: TV News. Very little academic literature exists on the ramifications from a period in which one news medium dominates. Serving as a foundational citation in Communication, the analysis uses a methodology that may continue to be replicated in order to forge a more definitive and diversified view of how TV News impacts history. Did reporters deceive the millions who were watching? Appealing to professionals working in History, Politics, and Communication, this book investigates the broadcast content to determine its accuracy and the public memory it created. It sheds light on what really happened during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and whether President Bush responded appropriately. Evaluating the industry's impact during a rare time when it faced no competition, this book is also directed at anyone considering a career in TV News and those already working within the field.