Get Me a Murder a Day!

Uses fresh case studies to engage students Fully updated to reflect recent events, such as the Iraq Qar, Hutton enquiry and the establishment of the BBC Trust Includes a timeline of media history to help students remember key dates A new chapter focusing on new media and how we consume it- social networking (Myspace, Facebook), citizen journalism (blogs) and open access Updated section on British film to reflect recent developments in the industry

Tracing the history of the print, broadcast and film industries, Williams offers a concise introduction to mass communication in Britain. This new edition offers fresh insights into key developments over the last decade, the changing nature of the industry's organization and their impact on audiences. Essential for journalism and media students!'Get Me A Murder A Day!' the famous motto of Lord Northcliffe, founder of the Daily Mail, says it all. Murder, sex and scandal seem to be the mass media's staple diet in Britain. Now we have 24-hour news television, podcasts and blogs enabling constant communication and consumer comment. To understand how we got to this, we need to start from the beginning. Tracing the history of the print, broadcast and film industries, this book offers a concise and enjoyable introduction to mass communication in Britain. It outlines the main landmarks in the development of the media, the changing nature of their industrial organisation and the resulting impact on audiences. It also looks at censorship and control, the concerns of powerful elites, new managers and moral entrepreneurs. This new edition further discusses 'dumbing down', the changing content of TV and the press, the growth of 'spin' and news management, and introduces key events such as the Hutton inquiry and the Iraq war, the TV telethon fraud, the establishment of the BBC Trust and the furore over the Queen documentary. A new chapter focuses on new media technology developments social networking, citizen journalism, open access and the changing nature of media consumption, particularly among young consumers. Get Me A Murder A Day! is an essential read for media and journalism students and anyone with an interest in understanding the media landscape in the UK.