Media Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media, 2013 Update

by Shirley Biagi

From media history to today's rapid-fire changes, MEDIA/IMPACT takes you on a tour of the events, people, and technologies that have shaped and are shaping the industry. Known for its engaging writing style, currency, and visual appeal, this book explores the converged mass media--its industries and support industries as well as the legal, ethical, social, global, and technological issues these businesses face very day. Emphasizing the impact of the media on individuals and society, the book illustrates that the media are foremost in the business of making money and shows you students what it's like to work in each industry. Included are detailed timelines and an extensive online media careers guide.

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually pretty decent as far as text books go.

[Indira Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey guys, so I know this is not a "normal" novel, but I wanted to share my thoughts about this media book that I've read over this semester. Media/Impact: An Introduction to Mass Media by Shirley Biagi truly opened my eyes to how mass media operates and what their true goal is, cause it aint to keep it's readers/views infomed. But, I think we all have grasped that concept by now, lol. Anyway, I enjoyed most of the chapters that depicted the rise and falls of the eight media industries; books, newspapers, magazines, radio, recordings, movies, tv, and internet. Though, because I like history, i was rather intrigued by some of its content, but I am sure others in my class were bored to death...Moving on, in addition to describing the mass media industries and their role in the United States, the book also included information regarding advertising, public relations, news and info, social and political issues, laws and regulations, and ethics. Those last two chapters, whoa... heavy stuff. But I loved it. I think the laws and regulation was probably my favorite chapter in the entire book. Though, people dont seem to hold the law to the standards it ought to be. It's the same with ethics, even though technically those are "voluntary". Which translates to,you wont get sued, but your rep will be damaged. All in all, I enjoyed this, and even though it was a school book, I might have read it without it being assigned on a syllabus.