- Hardcover: 580 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd; First Edition, First Impression edition (1 Sep 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0743239369
- ISBN-13: 978-0743239363
- Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 16 x 4.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 702,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
This biography shows how Murdoch's approach to the acquisition of influence has benefited from being diluted across three different political cultures - the US, Britain and Australia - even in the media-saturated, global-village culture he has been instrumental in creating. And because of the physical and cultural distances between the three Murdochs has been able to influence political affairs with impunity. Is this a good thing? The book argues convincingly that it is not, and indeed that it does against fundamental principles of democracy. Arguing that the freedom of the press is not just in our interest but a matter of life and death, it builds a case against the dangers of media monopoly.
About the Author
Bruce Page is an investigative journalist. A former member of the SUNDAY TIMES' renowned Insight team, he is the author of several previous books including an investigation into the case of Kim Philby.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truth for our time,
By Robert Kaplan "RLK" (Cambridge, Ma United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Murdoch Archipelago (Hardcover)
Bruce Page's The Murdoch Archipelago is a stunner! A clear mind and a sharp moral sense are at work here to lay bare the career of a scoundrel - and what his kind of success shows us about our time and ourselves. Page tells a complex story with verve and style. He first lets us see how the Murdoch enterprise works - but then, why it works: why politicians yield to him, and precisely what his capacity is to traffic with power while pretending to rebel against it. Yet this is more than the story of one man. The important point, says Page, "is that Murdoch's operation may well be the general model of media empires which live in corporatist bliss with slowly degrading national governments." Buy it, read it and learn from this tale for our times.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The golden age of lying and abuse of power,
By
This review is from: The Murdoch Archipelago (Hardcover)
In this brilliantly written and hard-hitting book, Bruce Page analyses in depth R. M.'s character (based on T. Adorno's `The Authoritarian Personality'), the history of his media empire, the power links, the revolutions in the media scene and the crucial test `freedom v. pseudo-freedom' for democracy.
His book contains also excellent information on such important historical issues as `Bloody Sunday' or the `Thatcher Years'. Media landscape In the early days of TV, newspapers didn't cover TV programs enough compared with the role they played in the life of their readers. Now, there is a close and vital embrace between TV and the newspaper industry (and most of all the tabloids). Newspapers and pseudo-newspapers A real news business, like newspapers must chase tirelessly after authentic (independent of opinion) disclosures. Some newspapers don't even try it; they are called pseudo-newspapers. Effective and independent disclosures will bring newspapers into substantial conflict with the governing powers of the day. Pseudo-newspapers will give active support of governing power to the extent of assisting it with official propaganda. The facts that are in the public interest are not published or selectively disclosed or covertly manipulated. Freedom v. pseudo-freedom The media system has been rightly thought to be the brightest hope for enlightenment, liberty and entertainment. But, the system became corrupted through profitable (corporate) alliances with the powerful in government. Law and regulations don't constitute a barrier anymore, if there is sufficient influence with sufficiently powerful people. Democracy For B. Page, democracy is fictional if media are there only for the ruling class. Only when the media are transparent, can the essential qualities of the intimate republic be saved. Governments must not be allowed to hand over the use of public `goods', which give liberties material expression, to conspicuous free riders. Otherwise, a free society commits suicide. Bruce Page wrote a very courageous and most necessary analysis of the Australian, English and US media scene. For him, democracies should be foolish to ignore media influences, which may be considered the greatest danger modern society faces. A must read.
2.0 out of 5 stars
Clarity lacking,
By
This review is from: The Murdoch Archipelago (Paperback)
This is certainly a well researched book but one of the true merits of a good journalist is clarity in his or her writing. I find this book does not have sufficient clarity and the reader tends to get lost in the detail which in certain sections produces a vague picture of one of the leading giants of the 20th Century who has done much to change the media.
Nevertheless this is a worthwhile read, particularly when it deals with Rupert Murdoch's family background.
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