This book moves beyond the narrow focus of much of the work on media and cultural studies to examine the whole process of interaction between the media and the social world. Rejecting approaches which focus only on ownership or discourse or audience reception, this new book from the Glasgow Media Group, examines: promotional strategies; media production; representation and audience responses; as well as broader impacts on policy, culture and society.
Using a detailed analysis of the struggle over representation during the AIDS crisis as point of departure, The Circuit of Mass Communication reveals the power of the media to influence public opinion, and the complex interaction between media coverage, audience response and contemporary power relations. Based on extensive empirical research, this book offers a range of challenging insights on media power, active audiences and moral panics.
Table of Content
Introduction – Jenny Kitzinger and David Miller
The AIDS Public Education Campaign, 1986-90 – David Miller and Kevin Williams
News Variations – Peter Beharrell
AIDS and Television News – David Miller and Peter Beharrell
AIDS on Television – David Miller
Form, Fact and Fiction
Sourcing AIDS News – David Miller and Kevin Williams
Producing AIDS News – Kevin Williams and David Miller
Media Impact on Public Beliefs about AIDS – Jenny Kitzinger
Resisting the Media – Jenny Kitzinger
The Extent and Limits of Media Influence
AIDS, the Policy Process and Moral Panics – David Miller and Jenny Kitzinger
Conclusion – Jenny Kitzinger and David Miller