Foundations of Critical Media and Information Studies

The task of this book is to ground foundations for the analysis of media, information, and information technology in 21st century information society. The author introduces theoretical and empirical tools for critical media and information studies. He shows which role classical critical theory can play for analyzing the information society and the information economy. He analyzes the role of the media and the information economy in economic development, the new imperialism, and the new economic crisis. The book critically discusses transformations of the Internet ("web 2.0"), the politics of alternative music, it introduces the notion of alternative media as critical media, and shows which critical role media and information technology can play in contemporary society.ãThe book provides foundations of a critical theory of the media, information, information technology, and the information society. It introduces methodological and theoretical tools for studying media, information technology, and the information society in a critical way.