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ABSTRACT |
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This dissertation examines how the political right-wing marginalized liberal views in national debate and succeeded in dominating the political middle ground over the course of the Cold War through invoking fears of Communism and un-Americanness. It explores the success of the neoconservatives’ culture war and their political rise to power after the fall of Communism through funding smear campaigns against their movement’s enemies and the creation of a media echo chamber capable of setting the media agenda for mainstream news outlets. The dissertation looks at how journalism has become compromised to act as watchdog of government or business in order to compete in a deregulated and competitive media market. It looks at how political humor and entertainment news are now vital outlets of information and debate for political issues. It examines the efforts that have been made and are being made to further restrict this form of speech on the grounds of indecency, which still lacks a clear, tangible definition. A review of the career of Bill Hicks up to 1994 and the conflict between the FCC, Clear Channel and Howard Stern before the 2004 presidential election are made as case studies for the specific efforts made to restrict expression of dissenting political perspectives. |