It implicates the survival of cultural identities, the expression of marginalized social and cultural symbolic matter, and the growth of subordinate groups in terms of empowerment and self-esteem, dimensions overlooked by traditional discussions of the democratization of communication."--BOOK JACKET.

What do we mean when we say participatory communication? What are the practical implications of working with participatory communication strategies in development and social change processes? What experiences exists in practice that documents that participatory communication adds value to a development project or programme? The aim of this user guide on participatory communication is to provide answers to some of these questions. Many communication practitioners and development workers face obstacles and challenges in their practical work. A participatory communication strategy offers a very specific perspective on how to articulate social processes, decision-making processes and any change process for that matter. Participatory approaches are nothing new. However, what is new is the proliferation of institutions, especially governmental but also non-governmental, that seek participatory approaches in their development initiative. This guide seeks to provide perspectives, tools and experiences regarding how to go about it with participatory communication strategies. It is conceived as a guide that hopefully can be of relevance and utility for development workers in the field. It is targeted at both at government and their officials, World Bank staff and at civil society.

This groundbreaking collection advances understanding of the concept of media practices by critically interrogating its relevance for the study of citizen and activist media. Media as practice has emerged as a powerful approach to understanding the media’s significance in contemporary society. Bringing together contributions from leading scholars in sociology, media and communication, social movement and critical data studies, this book stimulates dialogue across previously separate traditions of research on citizen and activist media practices and stakes out future directions for research in this burgeoning interdisciplinary field. Framed by a foreword by Nick Couldry and a substantial introductory chapter by the editors, contributions to the volume trace the roots and appropriations of the concept of media practice in Latin American communication theory; reflect on the relationship between activist agency and technological affordances; explore the relevance of the media practice approach for the study of media activism, including activism that takes media as its central object of struggle; and demonstrate the significance of the media practice approach for understanding processes of mediatization and datafication. Offering both a comprehensive introduction to scholarship on citizen media and practice and a cutting-edge exploration of a novel theoretical framework, the book is ideal for students and experienced scholars alike.

Drawing on both theoretical and practical case studies, this collection moves from developing attempts at local media to case studies and on to cyber-examples. The contributors, all distinguished international communications scholars, present a range of perspectives on the ever-burgeoning area of grassroots, local media.

Social Media and the Politics of Reportage explores the journalistic challenges, issues and opportunities that have risen as a result of social media increasingly being used as a form of crisis reporting within the field of global journalism, with a focus on the protests during the 'Arab Spring'.

Alternative media hold the promise of building public awareness and action against the constraints and limitations of media conglomeration and cutbacks to public broadcasting. These media are becoming key venues for community expression and political debate, but what is it that makes them alternative? The contributors to this path-breaking volume answer this question by examining the evolution of various kinds of alternative media – including indigenous, anarchist, ethnic, and feminist media – against the backdrop of political, economic, and cultural developments in Canada. They get at the heart of alternative media by focusing on the three interconnected dimensions that define them: structure, participation, and activism. Alternative Media in Canada not only reveals how alternative media are enabled and constrained within Canada’s complex media and policy environment; it also shows that, in the context of globalization, the Canadian experience parallels media and policy challenges in other nations.

'The second edition of Understanding the Media updates what has been recognised as a successful introduction to the study of the mass media.... The author furnishes examples from all around the world, underpinning the emphasis the book places on the concept of globalisation in understanding the modern media. The readings and questions force students to reflect critically on issues and encourage them to explore their own media-consumption habits.... The chapters are well organised and user friendly, with the chapter on globalisation highly recommended. Introductions to media globalisation often fail to provide a succinct and clear overview for first-year students - this chapter cracks the problem with a pithy description of the basic concepts and debates, interlaced with illuminating case studies and illustrative examples... The strength of Eoin Devereux's text is that the examples are familiar and relevant to present-day students and his style does not patronise or talk down to them.... Clearly written, comprehensive, well organised and up to date... This is an excellent introductory text for media studies students' - Times Higher Education Praise for the first edition: `An interesting book to read, written in a simple and transparent style and interlaced with topical, up-to-date examples of media events' - Journal of Educational Media 'This is...a well-organized, well-informed, student-friendly textbook, ideal for first-year undergraduates as a kicking-off point into the field of media and communications research. It deserves to be widely taken up' - European Journal of Communication Understanding the Media introduces key theoretical issues in media analysis and encourages students to use case studies to examine their own personal media use and exposure. Devereux applies a model of media analysis that gives equal weight to the production, content and reception of media texts. A particular emphasis is placed on understanding the mass media in a social context, and readers are invited to engage with a variety of questions about the increasingly complex mediascape in which we live our everyday lives. Now thoroughly revised and expanded this Second Edition: " Includes an additional chapter which draws together the book's key themes " Contains new and revised case studies with expanded discussions on media audiences and fandom and 'blogging' " New and revised extracted readings in every chapter " In addition, the book is now accompanied by an ancillary website with resources for students as well as slides for tutorials/lectures. Each chapter contains concise summaries, exercises, extracts from experts in the field, model exam and essay questions, as well as directions for further reading and research. This practical dimension to Understanding the Media will ensure that the book appeals to both teachers and students of the media in the 21st Century.