Journalist, media critic and author of (New) Media Monopoly Ben Bagdikian analyzes why the Bay area’s leading newspapers are successful despite the poor quality of journalism. Filmed in San Francisco, Paper Tiger takes a look back into the history of media in the Wild West (the west coast that is). Once upon a time Bay Area news editors would solve their quarrels with duels and shoot outs, now the media climate has taken a much different but equally foul turn. Bagdikian follows the history of the San Francisco Chronicle and it’s main competitor the San Francisco Examiner and how their eventual partnership has negatively impacted the nature of journalism in the Bay Area. He strikes against the myths and fallacies perpetuated by newspaper publishers that chain-run papers and media monopolies actually improve the quality of journalism. In fact media mergers often compromise quality by trying to make the most money as possible. Instead he shows how lack of competition and diversity brought about by media mergers are harmful to journalistic integrity. Bagdikian finds that the Bay Area’s mainly conservative, melodramatic periodicals are not serving the needs of the liberal and well-educated public. As 75%, of the newspapers’ money comes from advertising, this is group that needs to be satisfied not the readers. The Including on-the-street interviews and special customized jingles!!