Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents: Introduction: Media in a changing world -- Media literacy -- Understanding today's media industries -- Media controversies -- Books: The durable medium: A brief history of books -- Understanding today's book publishing industry -- Controversies -- Newspapers: Where journalism begins: A brief history of newspapers -- Understanding today's newspapers industry -- Controversies -- Magazines: The first of the specialized media: A brief history of magazines -- Understanding today's magazine industry -- Controversies -- Movies: Magic from the dream factory: A brief history of movies -- Understanding today's movie industry -- Controversies -- Recordings: Copyright battles, format wars: A brief history of recordings -- Understanding today's recording industry -- Controversies -- Radio: The hits keep coming: A brief history of radio -- Understanding today's radio industry -- Controversies -- Television: Reflecting and affecting society: A brief history of television -- Understanding today's television industry -- Controversies -- The internet: Convergence in a networked world: A brief history of the net -- Understanding today's internet industry -- Controversies -- News: The information industry: A brief history of electronic news -- Understanding today's news industry -- Controversies -- Public relations and politics: The image industry: A brief history of public relations -- Understanding today's public relations industry -- Controversies -- Advertising: The media support industry: A brief history of advertising -- Understanding today's advertising industry -- Controversies -- Media impact: Understanding research and effects: A brief history of media research -- Understanding today's media theory and research -- Controversies -- Media law: Understanding freedom of expression: A brief history of media law -- Understanding today's media law -- Controversies -- Media ethics: Understanding media morality: A brief history of media ethics -- Understanding today's media ethics -- Controversies.