The Contradictions of Media Power

Media power is a crucial, although often taken for granted, concept. We assume, for example, that the media are 'powerful'; if they were not, why would there be so many controversies over the regulation, control and impact of communicative institutions and processes? Further, we assume that this 'power' is somehow problematic; audiences are often treated as highly susceptible to media influence and too much 'power' in the hands of one organization or individual is seen as risky and potentially dangerous. Such concerns have motivated a whole series of academic texts on media impact, influence and effects. Yet it is still not clear what we mean by media power or how effective it is. This book evaluates contrasting definitions of media power and looks at the key sites in which power is negotiated, concentrated and resisted - politically, technologically and economically. Combining an evaluation of both previous literature and new research, the book seeks to establish an understanding of media power which does justice to the complexities and contradictions of the contemporary social world. It will be important reading for undergraduates, postgraduates and scholars alike.

Des Freedman is Senior Lecturer is Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths University, UK. He is currently researching media and communications policy and is especially interested in the political and economic contexts of policymaking and the relationship between media and power. He is reviews editor of Global Media and Communication and was previously on the management committee of the COST programme A20, 'The Impact of the Internet on the Mass Media in Europe'. He was awarded an ESRC grant in 2005 to examine the dynamics of media policy-making in the UK and US. He is also a participant in the 'Spaces of the News' project .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CHAPTER 1: APPROACHES TO MEDIA POWER

ELEMENTS OF THE PUZZLE

POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL DIMENSIONS OF MEDIA POWER

FOUR PARADIGMS OF MEDA POWER

Consensus

Chaos

Control

Contradiction

CONCLUSION

CHAPTER 2: ELITES, OWNERSHIP AND MEDIA POWER

POWER ELITE THEORY AND THE MEDIA

MEDIA POWER ELITES AND NEOLIBERALISM

The Rise of the Communications Sector

The Return of the Media Baron

The Role of the 'Club'

OWNERSHIP AND MEDIA POWER

CONCLUSION

CHAPTER 3: MEDIA POLICY AND POWER

POLICY ACTIVISM IN NEOLIBERAL TIMES

POWER, DECISION-MAKING AND THE POLICY PROCESS

MEDIA POLICY SILENCES

Silences in Pluralism Policy Debates

Silences in Net Neutrality Debates

CONCLUSION

CHAPTER 4: POWER SHIFTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

A RADICAL REDISTRIBUTION OF POWER?

DECENTRALIZATION: THE RISE OF THE 'POWER MOSAIC'

DISINTERMEDIATION: POWER TO THE PEOPLE?

'IT'S CALLED CAPITALISM' - ERIC SCHMIDT, CHAIRMAN OF GOOGLE

CHAPTER 5: CHALLENGING MEDIA POWER

MEDIA, CONTRADICTION AND RESISTANCE

THE DOMINANCE/RESISTANCE MODEL IN ACTION: THE WAR IN IRAQ

THE POLITICS OF MEDIA REFORM

CONCLUSION

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION - MEDIA POWER PARADIGMS REVISITED

BOOK REFERENCES

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

The Contradictions of Media Power

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials