Media Communication: An Introduction to Theory and Process

This book offers an accessible and engaging introduction to the role, practice and influence of mass media in contemporary society. Emphasising the social, cultural, political, and economic contexts in which the media operate, it provides the reader with a clear conceptual framework for understanding the process of communication, and media communication in particular. It discusses the influences and constraints on the construction of media messages, addressing questions such as the role and values of the media, the effect of ownership, and the processes behind the making of the news. This book also explores a range of debates and research findings on audiences and reception.