Media and Public Life - A History

In this lucid and intelligent guide, John Nerone traces the historyof the media in public life. His unconventional accountdecenters professional journalism from its central role inproviding information to the people and reconceives it as part of abroader set of media practices that work together to represent thepublic. The result is a sensitive study of the relationship betweenmedia and society that sheds light on the past, present and futureof news and public life. The book demonstrates clearly that the media have always beendeeply embedded in social, economic, and political institutions andstructures. Large transformations and historical shifts are broughtto life in the book through closer study of key moments ofchange such as the rise of liberal political institutions, themarket revolution, the industrial revolution, bureaucratization andprofessionalization, globalization, and the ongoing digitalrevolution. By integrating theoretical concepts with detailed andvivid historical examples, Nerone shows how print and news mediabecame entangled with public institutions. The Media and Public Life brings new light on the ways inwhich people have understood the meaning of a free and democraticmedia system. It is essential reading for all students and scholarsof media, history and society.