The Jeremiad Over Journalism

pre-condition for Americanization is the receiver‘s voluntary acceptance, 24 but there are also certain
structural limits to what is accepted and what is rejected. 25
Additionally, the subchapter on ―objectivity‖ will demonstrate that the ideal of objectivity in
journalism originated in the United States and incorporates both ontological, epistemological, and
procedural understandings of objectivity. Moreover, the section shows that the discursive practices
associated with American journalistic ―objectivity‖ have spread to Europe.
In terms of ―commercialization,‖ this chapter shows that when commercial influence takes
precedence it tends to overwhelm idealistic notions of customs or culture in favor of a
monetarization of decision-making.
Moreover, it is argued that journalistic institutions curtail individual journalists‘ autonomy
somewhat, which shows how societal structures such as increased commercialization impact
journalistic institutions and can be argued to influence individual journalistic content.
Lastly, this chapter ends with a definition of framing. It is here shown that journalists actively select
and highlight aspects of perceived events based on organizational routines, a fact that has real
consequences in regards to how receivers understand the material presented. 26
2.1 Literature Review: Americanization
"The advent of the United States of America as the greatest of world-Powers is the greatest
political, social, and commercial phenomenon of our times,‖ wrote William T. Stead in The
Americanisation of the World in 1902 over the course of 182 pages. Stead attempted to trace
―Americanisation‖ across the entire world focusing on religion, literature, journalism, art, science,
music as well as theater, marriage, sports and business.
24 Harm G. Schröter, "Economic Culture and Its Transfer: An Overview of the Americanisation of the European
Economy, 1900-2005," European Review of History 15, no. 4 (2008). Page 341.
25 Mel Van Elteren, "Rethinking Americanization Abroad: Toward a Critical Alternative to Prevailing Paradigms," The
Journal of American Culture 29, no. 3 (2006). Page 348-354.
26 Robert M. Entman, "Media Framing Biases and Political Power: Explaining Slant in News of Campaign 2008,"
Journalism 11, no. 4 (2010). Page 391. According to Entman, ―frames introduce or enhance the availability and apparent
importance of certain ideas for evaluating a political object.‖
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