Final answer:
The doctoral dissertation might explore the rivalry between print and radio, focusing on the evolution of news media, changes in journalism practices, and the impact on culture and media consumption patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
A doctoral student focusing on the rivalry between print and radio in the early twentieth century might concentrate on several key aspects. Firstly, the evolution of news media, highlighting the once dominating influence of print and its struggle to stay relevant against the rising tide of radio, especially during critical events such as World War II where the immediacy of radio broadcasts was essential. Secondly, the impact on journalism, examining how figures like Edward R. Murrow pioneered live reporting, transformed radio news, and how White House guidelines during wars shaped press freedom. Finally, the dissertation could focus on the broader cultural implications, reflecting on how radio opened up new avenues for advertisers and content creators to reach a wider, more diverse audience, unlike the narrower segment attracted by print media.
Additionally, the student might explore the shifting patterns of media consumption over the decades, considering the peak of print newspaper circulation in 1973 and the subsequent decline in favor of radio and television news. This would lead to analysis on how local radio stations have tailored their content to reflect community taste, thereby reinforcing the communal nature of radio against the more individualistic print media.