A response to a myriad of rising doubts of the constitutionality of free speech regarding food, the present manuscript offers an alternative political economy and critical legal studies approach to agricultural product disparagement (APD) laws and the disconnect between legal theories and the realities that complicate the legal process. In reality, it is the political economy facing the legal, media, and food system have been driven in the interests of profits over citizen protections, wielding severe limitations on the distribution of food criticisms and information on food safety in the mainstream media. Additionally, the critical legal criticisms of the underlying philosophies and tenets of legal liberalism point to structural rather than mechanistic problems, especially considering the tactical use of SLAPP suits. This manuscript will use the stories surrounding Texas Beef Group v. Winfrey (1998) and New World Communications of Tampa v. Akre (2003) to illustrate how the greatest problem facing food free speech is the tactical manipulation of information by significant actors in the food and media systems. Without a reconsideration of the research, food criticisms will continue to be stifled and consequently consumers will be unable to question food preferences or vote with their dollars for change. In order to continue the fight for fair food, reconsiderations of the legal and policy making process surrounding food and media must be considered and corrected. / A Thesis submitted to the School of Communication in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Master in Arts. / Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2010. / Date of Defense: April 23, 2010. / Food, Political Economy, Agricultural Product Disparagement, Akre, Winfrey, Critical Legal, New World Communications Tampa, Texas Beef Group, Fox, Hegemony, Public Sphere, Media Chill / Includes bibliographical references. / Jennifer Proffitt, Professor Directing Thesis; Andrew Opel, Committee Member; Jeanette Castillo, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_168366 |
| Contributors | Asmus, Lauren (authoraut), Proffitt, Jennifer (professor directing thesis), Opel, Andrew (committee member), Castillo, Jeanette (committee member), Department of Accounting (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
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