Praised for its strong research base, engaging writing style and inclusion of popular culture, the Second Edition comprehensively examines media and American politics with new discussion on the Internet, Election 2000, and important trends in the field.

The Second Edition of Paletz's text also continues the strengths of the first with unique attention to subjects neglected in other texts—such as gender, race, pornography, police activities and terrorism—and an abundance of real life examples.