Critical political economy of the media : an introduction / Jonathan Hardy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hardy, Jonathan, 1963- author.

Series:

Communication and society (Routledge (Firm))

Communication and society

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mass media--Economic aspects.

Mass media.

Mass media--Finance.

Physical Description:

xx, 245 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Abingdon, Oxon : Routledge, 2014.

Summary:

"How the media are organised and funded is central to understanding their role in society. Critical Political Economy of the Media provides a clear, comprehensive and insightful introduction to the political economic analysis of contemporary media. Jonathan Hardy undertakes a critical survey of political economy scholarship encompassing worldwide literature, issues and debates, and relationships with other academic approaches. He assesses different ways of making sense of media convergence and digitalisation, media power and influence, and transformations across communication markets. Many of the problems of the media that prompted critical political economy research remain salient, he argues, but the approach must continue to adapt to new conditions and challenges. Hardy advances the case for a revitalised critical media studies for the 21st century. Topics covered include: media ownership and financing news and entertainment convergence and the Internetmedia globalisation advertising and mediaalternative media media policy and regulationIntroducing key concepts and research, this book explains how political economy can assist students, researchers and citizens to investigate and address vital questions about the media today"-- Provided by publisher.

"Critical Political Economy of Media provides a clear, comprehensive and insightful introduction to the political economy analysis of contemporary media. Political economy approaches argue that to answer some of the most important questions about communications in modern life we need to examine how media services are organised, provided and paid-for. Jonathan Hardy undertakes a critical survey of political economy scholarship encompassing worldwide literature, issues and debates, and relationships with other academic approaches. He assesses different ways of making sense of media convergence and digitalisation, media power and influence. Many of the problems of the media that prompted critical political economy research remain salient, he argues, but the approach must continue to adapt to new conditions and challenges. Hardy advances the case for a reflexive, revitalised critical media studies for the 21st century. Topics covered include: - media ownership and financing - news and entertainment - convergence and the Internet - media globalisation - advertising - alternative media and policy Explaining key concepts and research, this book illustrates the vital contribution of critical political economy for studies in media and communications, and demonstrates how political economy can assist students, researchers and citizens to investigate and address vital questions about the media today"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Part I Mapping approaches and themes 1

1 What (is) political economy of the media? 3

2 Paradigms of media power: liberal and radical perspectives on media processes 37

3 Media cultures, media economics and media problems 57

Part II Critical investigations in political economy 77

4 Concentration, conglomeration, commercialisation 79

5 Political economy of the Internet and digital media 108

6 Marketing communications and media 135

7 Globalisation, media transnationalisation and culture 157

8 Media convergence and communications regulation 177

Part III Interventions and change 193

9 Media power, challenges and alternatives 195.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780415544832

0415544831

9780415544849

041554484X

OCLC:

875054333