Environmental Cancer-A Political Disease?

by S. Robert Lichter, Stanley Rothman

Overview

In this provocative book, S. Robert Lichter and Stanley Rothman examine the controversies surrounding environmental cancer and place them in historical perspective. Then, drawing on surveys of cancer researchers and environmental activists, they reveal that there are sharp differences between the two groups' viewpoints on environmental cancer. Despite these differences, a further comparison - between the views of the two groups and the content of television and newspaper accounts over a two-decade period - shows that press reports most frequently cite the views of environmental activists as if they were the views of the scientific community. These findings cast doubt on the objectivity of the news media and environmental activists. And, the authors conclude, misplaced fears about the risks of environmental cancer have seriously distorted public policy and priorities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300076349
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	02/08/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

S. Robert Lichter is president of the Center for Media and Public Affairs in Washington, D.C., and adjunct professor of political science at Georgetown University. He is the author of many books and articles on the role of news and entertainment media in American society. Stanley Rothman is Mary Huggins Gamble Professor of Government Emeritus and director of the Center for the Study of Social and Political Change at Smith College. His numerous books include American Elites, published by Yale University Press.

Editorial Reviews

Environmental Cancer: A Political Disease? does a tremendous service in separating fact from fiction. The authors show how out of reach the activists and 'media elite' often are. -- Wall Street Journal

Michael Fumento

...[The] term refers to cases of the disease that are clearly caused by things to which you might expose yourself or be exposed, from the butter you eat to the air you breathe....[T]he book's big news is the extraordinary gap between the views of the activists...and the views of...scientists....The two groups are amazingly at odds...
— Commentary

Dan Seligman