Bennett – New Media Power

The Internet and other digital media play an important part in the contesting of power, not merely as emerging communication tools, but also in the manner in which it impacts the political, social, economic, and psychological aspects of citizens and society, according to Bennett. His optimism for the potential of these trends is mitigated by …

Harris Breslow – Civil Society, Political Economy and the Internet

Breslow attempts to reconceptualize social interaction and communal identity on the Internet through a detailed discussion of the role of civil society online. And, while the Internet facilitates a sense of sociability, Breslow questions whether this will translate into solidarity, resulting in meaningful political and social transformation. Building on a classic model of civil society, …

Hackett and Carroll – Remaking Media

As the last reading, this is a sold summary of issues related to our discussions. His introduction summarizes the predicament clearly: if the future of the world is tied into the formation, reproduction and contestation of culture, ideologies and politics in North America and Europe (political power being exercised through powerful institutions of public communication, …

Dallas W. Smythe – Audience Commodity and its work

As one of the seminal writers on the political economy of communications, Dallas W. Smythe presents an interesting case for re-examining the role of audience. He wants us to view the audience as a commodity, the same as a widget, which is produced, sold, distributed and consumed; and, at the same time, see how the …

Strinati – Introduction to Theories of Popular Culture

In his description of mass culture theory, Strinati provides both a history and critique of this approach to culture and its relationship to popular culture. Strinati also provides the foundation for a political economy of culture where we can explores issues of hegemony, the forces of production and the ideological role of popular culture on …

James Carey reading – Technology and Ideology: The Case of the Telegraphy

In this reading, Carey applies Mosco’s approach to political economic analysis (commodity, spatialization, structuration) through his exploration of the introduction of the telegraph. He clearly shows how the telegraph allows information to move independently and faster than products. It also forced prices to become uniform in space and markets to no longer be bound by …

Shane Gunster – From Mass to Popular Culture: From Frankfurt to Birmingham

This article focuses on the differences between cultural studies approach to the commodification of culture, as articulated by the Birmingham School versus the political economic one proposed by the Frankfurt School. For the Birmingham School, culture is separated from politics, each taking place in a separate sphere. And, while culture influences and supports hegemonic structures …

Barney – Digital Divides

Information Communications Technology (ICT) does little to resolve the issues of democracy despite the potential, according to Barney. In fact, it is necessary for those interested in resolving critical issues around democratic engagement to solve issues offline before taking them online. There is little evidence supporting any claims that ICTs have the ability to fundamentally …

Schiller and Mosco – Introduction: Integrating a Continent for a Transnational World

The centerpiece of this article is an argument about the use of networked computer systems to aid the process of integrating markets across three countries in North America and the resulting economic and social impact. In assessing the transnationalization of the capitalist political economy, the authors argue this is a prelude to the complete integration …

Orenbring – Tabloid Journalism and the Public Sphere

Bucking the popular view of tabloid journalism as bad journalism, Orenbring argues this style of sensational content plays an important role in the formation of an alternative public sphere. It juxtaposes itself in relation to mainstream journalism by presenting different issues, forms and appeals to an audience not regularly served. By tracking the history of …