This third edition of a text for graduate and undergraduate students in journalism, media studies, and communication takes stock of the current news environment since the events of September 11th. In addition to discussing the changing role of the American journalist, this third edition examines the mergers of media giants, press credibility in the wake of reporter scandals, the expanding role of cable news channels, and the importance of the Internet for news. Hachten is affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.