All the key issues and debates in media studies are covered in a lively and accessible style. Readers will learn about the main features of global media corporations, approaches to the study of media effects, consumer power, celebrity, journalism and new media. From surveillance to simulation, genre to gender, political economy to the postmodern, the reader will be guided through a matrix of intellectual endeavour on all media matters.

With TV, internet, phone, radio, movies, music, magazines, and newspapers—just to name a few—how does one begin to understand today’s all-embracing media culture? In this book, all the key issues and debates in media studies are covered in a lively and accessible style, including the main features of global media corporations and approaches to the study of media effects, consumer power, celebrity, journalism, and new media. From surveillance to simulation, genre to gender, political economy to the postmodern, the reader will be guided through a matrix of intellectual endeavor on all media matters. Whether for a student, researcher, or practitioner, this handy reference guide offers a journey through a complex but fascinating subject.

This unique textbook is a manageable introduction to all the theories and approaches that make up media studies, giving students an informed, balanced and global view of media today. Exploring the evolution of media internationally, this book offers theory and evidence in its discussion of past and present modes of media. Divided into four parts, readers are offered insight into critical theories and topics such as ‘Social and Global Change,’ ‘the Influence of Media,’ ‘Intercultural Communication’ and ‘News as a Form of Knowledge.’ Written by leading experts within media studies, Balnaves, Donald and Shoesmith lend their wealth of knowledge to the student reader through this text, guiding them through the progression of cultural and media studies. Genuinely global and cutting-edge, this leading textbook is the ideal learning resource for lecturers of media studies and undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking gain a thorough understanding of worldwide media, past and present.

What does the Frankfurt School have to say about the creative industries? Does the spread of Google prove we now live in an information society? How is Madonna an example of postmodernism? How new is new media? Does the power of Facebook mean we're all media makers now? This groundbreaking volume – part reader, part textbook - helps you to engage thoroughly with some of the major voices that have come to define the landscape of theory in media studies, from the public sphere to postmodernism, from mass communication theory to media effects, from production to reception and beyond. But much more than this, by providing assistance and questions directly alongside the readings, it crucially helps you develop the skills necessary to become a critical, informed and analytical reader. Each reading is supported on the facing page by author annotations which provide comments, dissect the arguments, explain key ideas and terminology, make references to other relevant material, and pose questions that emerge from the text. Key features: Opening chapters: ‘What is theory?’ and ‘What is reading?’ bring alive the importance of both as key parts of media scholarship Pre-reading: substantial Introductory sections set each text and its author in context and show the relevance of the reading to contemporary culture Post-reading: Reflection sections summarise each reading’s key points and suggests further areas to explore and think about 4 types of annotations help you engage with the reading – context, content, structure, and writing style .... as well as questions to provoke further thought Split into 4 sections – Reading theory, Key thinkers and schools, Approaches and Media Theory in context New to the second edition: New chapters on New Media, and Audiences as Producers Reading Media Theory will assist you in developing close-reading and analytic skills. It will also increase your ability to outline key theories and debates, assess different case studies critically, link theoretical approaches to a particular historical context, and to structure and present an argument. As such, it will be essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of media studies, cultural studies, communication studies, the sociology of the media, popular culture and other related subjects.

Media Theory for A Level provides a comprehensive introduction to the 19 academic theories required for A Level Media study. From Roland Barthes to Clay Shirky, from structuralism to civilisationism, this revision book explains the core academic concepts students need to master to succeed in their exams. Each chapter includes: • Comprehensive explanations of the academic ideas and theories specified for GCE Media study. • Practical tasks designed to help students apply theoretical concepts to unseen texts and close study products/set texts. • Exemplar applications of theories to set texts and close study products for all media specifications (AQA, Eduqas, OCR and WJEC). • Challenge activities designed to help students secure premium grades. • Glossaries to explain specialist academic terminology. • Revision summaries and exam preparation activities for all named theorists. • Essential knowledge reference tables. Media Theory for A Level is also accompanied by the essentialmediatheory.com website that contains a wide range of supporting resources. Accompanying online material includes: • Revision flashcards and worksheets. • A comprehensive bank of exemplar applications that apply academic theory to current set texts and close study products for all media specifications. • Classroom ready worksheets that teachers can use alongside the book to help students master essential media theory. • Help sheets that focus on the application of academic theory to unseen text components of A Level exams.

This outcomes-based textbook provides comprehensive information on the makeup of media institutions, theories in media studies, and critical issues that face the media today. With this guide media students learn the history of the media and learn how to keep up with the latest trends and developments in broadcasting, printed press, and film. Outlined is how to develop an internal media policy with company mission statements, news, and programming policies. The relationship of the media to the economy, politics, and society and how the media represents race, gender, violence, and terrorism are also discussed.

While examining exactly who owns the media and who produces the media, this text manages to encompass the systematic, critical, and analytical media in all its forms and concludes that the media is one of the most important generators and disseminators of meaning in contemporary society. Investigating the power relationships between the media and politics, culture, economy, society, and above all, democracy, this resource is well-suited for anyone with an interest in the modern role of media in society.