ABSTRACT
Mass communication has always drawn scrutiny, comment, and controversy. Over the years, concerns about the penny press, dime novels, movies, and even comic books have drawn the interest of educators, parents, and politicians. These concerns reflect the central and public role that mass communication plays in our society. Although most scholars agree that mass communication is functional for society (e.g., Wright, 1986), the open and commercial nature of media content often drives a "legacy of fear" about the impact of mass communication on culture, society, adults, and children.
