The Brass Check

The Brass Check
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Title	The Brass Check
Author	Upton Sinclair
Publisher	Self-published
Publication date	1919

The Brass Check is a non-fiction book written by Upton Sinclair, first published in 1919 by Macmillan Publishers and later Self-published by the author. The book is a critical analysis of the American press, focusing on the ways in which journalism is influenced by advertising and corporate interests, as seen in the works of Walter Lippmann and The New York Times. Sinclair Lewis and Theodore Dreiser were among the authors who shared similar concerns about the state of the press, as discussed in The Nation and The New Republic. The book is considered a seminal work in the field of media studies, alongside the works of Noam Chomsky and Edward S. Herman.

● Introduction

The Brass Check is a scathing critique of the American media landscape, with Upton Sinclair drawing on his own experiences as a muckraker and investigative journalist, similar to those of Ida Tarbell and Lincoln Steffens. Sinclair argues that the press is beholden to advertisers and corporate interests, rather than serving the public interest, as discussed in The Progressive and The Atlantic Monthly. This critique is echoed in the works of George Seldes and The New Yorker, which have also explored the tensions between journalism and commerce. The Brass Check is part of a larger tradition of media criticism, which includes the works of A.J. Liebling and The Columbia Journalism Review.

● History

The Brass Check was written in response to Upton Sinclair's own experiences with the press, including his coverage of the Lawrence Textile Strike and the Colorado Coal Strike, which were also reported on by The Denver Post and The Rocky Mountain News. Sinclair was shocked by the ways in which the press distorted and manipulated the facts, as seen in the coverage of the Sacco and Vanzetti case by The Boston Globe and The New York Herald. The book was initially rejected by several publishers, including Doubleday and Harcourt Brace, but was eventually self-published by Upton Sinclair with the help of The Socialist Party of America and The American Civil Liberties Union. The book's publication was also supported by The Nation and The New Republic, which have a long history of promoting progressive and liberal causes.

● Synopsis

The Brass Check is divided into several sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the press and its relationship to power and money. Upton Sinclair examines the ways in which advertising influences the content of newspapers and magazines, as seen in the publications of Hearst Corporation and Conde Nast. He also critiques the ways in which journalists are pressured to produce sensationalized and biased reporting, as discussed in The Columbia Journalism Review and The Poynter Institute. Throughout the book, Sinclair draws on examples from his own career, including his coverage of the Meatpacking industry and the Oil industry, which were also reported on by The Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times. The book also explores the role of propaganda in shaping public opinion, as seen in the works of Edward Bernays and The Committee on Public Information.

● Reception

The Brass Check was widely reviewed and debated upon its release, with many critics praising its scathing critique of the press. The New York Times and The Washington Post both reviewed the book, as did The Nation and The New Republic. However, some reviewers criticized the book for its polemical tone and lack of objectivity, as seen in the reviews of The Wall Street Journal and The National Review. Despite these criticisms, The Brass Check has had a lasting impact on the field of media studies, influencing the work of scholars such as Herbert Schiller and Robert McChesney. The book has also been praised by journalists such as Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior, who have continued to explore the tensions between journalism and power.

● Impact

The Brass Check has had a significant impact on the way we think about the press and its relationship to power and money. The book's critique of advertising and corporate influence has been particularly influential, as seen in the work of media critics such as A.J. Liebling and The Columbia Journalism Review. The book has also inspired a new generation of investigative journalists, including Glenn Greenwald and Sarah Kendzior, who have continued to explore the ways in which power and money shape the media landscape. The book's influence can also be seen in the work of organizations such as The Media Consortium and The Independent Media Center, which have promoted independent media and media reform.

● Upton Sinclair

Upton Sinclair was a novelist and journalist who is best known for his muckraking novels, including The Jungle and Oil!. Sinclair was a prominent figure in the American Socialist Party, and his work often explored the tensions between capitalism and socialism, as seen in the works of Eugene Debs and The Socialist Party of America. Throughout his career, Sinclair was committed to exposing the abuses of power and promoting social justice, as discussed in The Nation and The New Republic. His work continues to be widely read and studied today, and his influence can be seen in the work of authors such as John Steinbeck and Theodore Dreiser, as well as organizations such as The American Civil Liberties Union and The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Category:Media studies