THE NEW POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE MEDIA

THE NEW POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE MEDIA Question：“How new is the new political economy of the media?” Answer with reference to recent developments in democratic politics 4000 words Module Description This module will give students an understanding of how the structures of news and information media shape our political environment - and how these structures are shifting as the media landscape transforms. Students will learn why and how the political economy of the media (including new information platforms such as Facebook and Google) is critical to the functioning of democratic politics, and the ways in which technological change is reshaping our communications environment. The course will explore the implications of fundamental changes to the economic foundations of journalism – and of information sharing across society – to the operation of stable civil society. Learning Outcomes On completing the module successfully, students will be able to: 1. Critically analyse a range of theories that conceptualise the role of the news media in politics and their relationship with the State 2. Examine and explain how the economic underpinnings of journalism and news media shape their operation in democratic politics 3. Provide insight into how developments in digital technology are effecting change in the political economy of the media and the ways in which this influences citizen and media behaviour 4. Recognise the associations between structural and instrumental factors with regard to the media and politics 5. Find and evaluate academic and non-academic resources relevant to understanding the political economy of media and communication Chadwick, Andrew (2013) The Hybrid Media System: Politics and Power, New York: Oxford University Press Curran, James (2002) Media and Power, Abingdon: Routledge McChesney, Robert (2013) Digital Disconnect: How Capital is Turning the Internet Against Democracy, New York: The New Press Wu, Tim (2010) The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires, New York: Alfred A. Knopf