Big media, big money : cultural texts and political economics / Ronald V. Bettig and Jeanne Lynn Hall.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bettig, Ronald V.

Contributor:

Hall, Jeanne Lynn, 1958-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mass media--Economic aspects.

Mass media.

Mass media and culture.

Physical Description:

x, 183 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield, [2003]

Summary:

Big Media, Big Money is a lively and scathing critique of the contemporary communications industry. With close readings of recent news events, Bettig and Hall look critically at the effects of "media merger mania" on the structure and content of the movie, music, and book publishing industries. They further explore challenges posed by the Internet and the effects of copyright control, as well as growing corporate influence in the newsroom and the classroom. The authors conclude that current interconnections among media, big business, government, and education reflect capitalism's trend of concentration of wealth and power -- posing a serious threat to democratic communications.

Contents:

1 Introduction: Beat the Press 1

2 Media Merger Mania: Concentration in the Media Industry 15

3 Media Concentration and Culture: The Movie and Music Industries 45

4 All the News That Fits: The News and Advertising Industries 73

5 Students for Sale: The Commercialization of Education 109

6 Conclusion: Taking It to the Streets 137.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 155-166) and index.

ISBN:

0742511294

0742511308

OCLC:

50003972