Articles on Mass Communications in American Magazines

Abstract

The literature concerned with communications in American magazines during the last quarter of 1952 was overwhelmingly dominated by the subject of the relationship of radio and the press to the presidential campaign. While the election itself was resolved definitely in favor of Eisenhower, it became more and more evident that press institutions themselves in the United States may soon face a virtual decision at the bar of public opinion in regard to their ideal role in national life. Marking the main skirmish line for the three months in question was the phrase “one-party press” which bounded from a political speech by defeated-candidate Stevenson in early September into almost every written or spoken discussion of the press since that time. Means of disproving or proving this characterization of U. S. newspapers has been the main topic of discussion at many conventions and conferences of such diversified groups as publishers, editors, union leaders, educators, congressmen, women's clubs and politicians as evidenced by following bibliography entries. Also numerous have been outright attempts at proof and disclaimer by various speakers and writers. Also of note during the quarter were the number of articles by pollsters defining their exact position in regard to pre-election opinion figures. Most managed to be both safe and sorry, since the growing corps of polling critics contributed a great number of articles following the election pointing out ignored evidence on Eisenhower's strength with great statistical accuracy.