Western media systems / Jonathan Hardy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hardy, Jonathan, 1963-

Series:

Communication and society (Routledge (Firm))

Communication and society

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mass media--European Union countries.

Mass media.

Mass media--United States.

Mass media--Ownership.

United States.

Mass media policy.

Mass media--Social aspects.

Convergence (Telecommunication).

European Union countries.

Physical Description:

xvii, 282 pages ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 2008.

Summary:

Western Media Systems offers a concise, authoritative and critical introduction to media systems in North America and Western Europe. It explains how media systems developed historically and how mass media sectors, especially broadcasting and the press, are being transformed today. The book offers a wide-ranging survey and an original contribution to comparative media analysis addressing the economic, social, political, regulatory and cultural aspects of Western media systems.

Are Western media systems converging? Against smooth narratives of media globalisation, this book argues for an appreciation of the continuing significance of nationally organised media and nation-state influence for understanding changes in media systems and continuing differences between them. It assesses the extent of convergence taking place and examines TV, newspapers, new media markets, production and consumption, journalism, political communication, media policies and regulations, and media transnationalism.

Jonathan Hardy takes a thematic approach, guiding the reader through critical issues and debates, introducing key concepts and specialist literature in an accessible style. Western Media Systems will be essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students studying comparative and global media.

Contents:

1 Explaining Western media systems 1

2 Media system evolution 22

3 Transformations and continuities in media systems (late 1970s to 2000s) 57

4 Media theory: paradigms and power 79

5 Media and politics 97

6 Media policy and regulation 134

7 Media markets 169

8 Western media and globalisation 206

9 Assessing Western media systems 231

Appendix Comparative country data 241.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [242]-268) and index.

ISBN:

9780415396912

0415396913

9780415396929

0415396921

OCLC:

166360348