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George Seldes’ War for the Public Good

Weaponising a Free Press

  • Book
  • © 2019

Overview

Authors:
  1. Helen Fordham

    1. University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

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  • Examines the idea of fake news through an analysis of the work of early to mid-twentieth century press critic George Seldes
  • Analyses Seldes’ media criticism of the fake news, lies and propaganda in daily newspapers in the 1930s and 1940s
  • Exposes the historical nature and impact of fake news on public debate, and affirms the critical role of journalists in exposing fake news

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in the History of the Media (PSHM)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xx
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Subversive

    • Helen Fordham
    Pages 1-10

  3. Muckraker

    • Helen Fordham
    Pages 11-20

  4. Foreign Correspondent

    • Helen Fordham
    Pages 21-34

  5. Writer

    • Helen Fordham
    Pages 35-45

  6. Critic

    • Helen Fordham
    Pages 47-63

  7. Activist

    • Helen Fordham
    Pages 65-79

  8. Independent Publisher

    • Helen Fordham
    Pages 81-97

  9. Investigative Journalist

    • Helen Fordham
    Pages 99-116

  10. Conclusion

    • Helen Fordham
    Pages 117-127

  11. Back Matter

    Pages 129-146
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Keywords

About this book

This book examines the idea of fake news through an analysis of the work of early to mid-twentieth century press critic George Seldes. By examining fake news - also known as propaganda and misinformation - from this period it becomes evident that it is a phenomenon that emerges in response to particular social, political and economic conditions. It is, therefore, not a new process but always a feature of the media ecosystem. Seldes’ work makes evident that contemporary anxieties about the role, function, future and credibility of journalism were expressed in the 1930s and 1940s. The same fears were circulated about the consequences of fake news and propaganda on democratic debate. The same concerns were also expressed about how technology extends the circulation of propaganda and fake news, and affects journalism practices. An analysis of Seldes’ media criticism of the fake news, lies and propaganda in daily newspapers in the 1930s and 1940s exposes the historical nature and impact of fake news on public debate, and affirms the critical role of journalists in exposing fake news.

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

    Helen Fordham

About the author

Helen Fordham is Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: George Seldes’ War for the Public Good

  • Book Subtitle: Weaponising a Free Press

  • Authors: Helen Fordham

  • Series Title: Palgrave Studies in the History of the Media

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30877-3

  • Publisher: Palgrave Pivot Cham

  • eBook Packages: History, History (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-30876-6Published: 26 November 2019

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-30877-3Published: 14 November 2019

  • Series ISSN: 2634-6575

  • Series E-ISSN: 2634-6583

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XX, 146

  • Topics: Modern History, US History, Cultural History, Journalism

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