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Dissertation Information for James Lewis Baughman

NAME:
- James Lewis Baughman

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- History

SCHOOL:
- Columbia University (USA) (1981)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: WARRIORS IN THE WASTELAND: THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND AMERICAN TELEVISION, 1958-1967

Abstract: The largely unsuccessful efforts of the Federal Communications Commission between 1961 and 1967 to influence American television programming are reviewed. After a summary of broadcast regulation between 1912-1958, changes in American television in the late 1950s are described. The end of television's "Golden Age" upset many observers of the mass media and society. That eclipse also drove a group of regulators led by Newton N. Minow to try to use the Commission--heretofore unable or unwilling to act--to bring about more diverse programming. The Commission, however, proved too weak to force broadcast stations to change their schedules appreciably. Despite support from President John F. Kennedy, the agency had to reckon with a suspicious Congress and, perhaps most significantly, an apathetic public. Indirect forms of regulation--notably attempts to create more competition through aid to Ultra High Frequency television and more self-regulation through better liasons with the National Association of Broadcasters--did not work as planned. After Kennedy's death, his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, joined with those in Congress seeking to prevent the Commission from substantial activities. Ultimately, Congress and Johnson promoted the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 to satisfy those unhappy with the state commercial telecasting.

MPACT Scores for James Lewis Baughman

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:27:36

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