Product Description

The famous motto of Lord Northcliffe, founder of the 'Daily Mail', says it all. Murder, sex and scandal seem to be the mass media's staple diet in Britain. Yet, in true newspaper fashion, that's only one side of the story. To understand how we got to Page Three, the News Bunny and video nasties, we need to know the full history.

Tracing the histories of the print, broadcasting and film industries, this is a thoroughly readable introduction to mass communication in Britain. It outlines the main landmarks in the development of the media, the changing nature of their industrial organisation and the resulting impact on audiences. At the same time, it examines the changing forms of censorship and control, and analyses the concerns of powerful elites, news managers and moral entrepreneurs.

From Gutenberg's printing press of the fifteenth century to the communications revolution of the twenty-first century, the growth of new media forms has been accompanied by a change in popular opinion and behaviour. Placing mass communication in a site of political and cultural struggle, Kevin Williams provides a witty and coherent narrative of its history and an introduction to the forces that shape it.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #301758 in Books
• Published on: 1997-11-28
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Review
It will be particularly welcomed as an introduction to the study of mass communication history for students of either the media or history. --(Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television )

Review
It will be particularly welcomed as an introduction to the study of mass communication history for students of either the media or history. (Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television )

Customer Reviews

An indispensible resource for media students.
A concise and informative text which discusses mass communication in Britain, investigating its roots as early as the 15th century, and covering each significant stage until the present day. Outlining major developments such as the 'birth' of newspapers, cinema, radio, television, and the 'new' media systems i.e. satellite, cable and the internet. Truly, an indispensible resource for media students.

Informative
There is nothing worse then being told to read a book and finding that it is the utterly boring and badly written. Many books I have come across in my desperation are written by people who are aiming their book at an audience who already know a great deal about the subject already.

However, Get Me a Murder a Day by Kevin Williams is a very good book indeed that if you are researching Media History or are just interested in it. Informatively written by a person who wants to impart his knowledge and research onto others.

It is easy to read and on top of that enjoyable. If you're studying media or anything like that, this book belongs on your bookshelf.