Controversies about the Mass Communication of Violence

Few would dispute that American mass communi cation dispenses large doses of violence to audiences ever grow ing in size. Two related controversies stem from this fact. One concerns the question of effects and the other the problem of control. An inventory of relevant research is inconclusive about effects, partly because of varying conceptions of what constitutes evidence. A dynamic opinion process leads to con trol efforts. Critics play a vital part in defining discontent. A reciprocal relationship emerges between the public, the critic, and the media. American media respond to controversy and threat of censorship with systems of self-regulation. These grow out of public opinion and are sustained by it in a delicate balance dependent somewhat on developing knowledge of the effects of violence

Balance (ability · Censorship · Criminology · Mass media · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public opinion · Public relations · Reciprocal · Sociology · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence