An introduction to the history, sociology, theory and politics of media and communication studies, this edition has been revised to bring it up-to-date with new developments in the media industry. Its three new chapters describe the battle for the soul of the internet, the impact of the internet on society and the rise of new media in Britain.

Power Without Responsibility is a classic, authoritative and engaged introduction to the history, sociology, theory and politics of media and communication studies. Written in a lively and accessible style, it is regarded as the standard book on the British media. This new edition has been substantially revised to bring it up-to-date with new developments in the media industry. Its three new chapters describe the battle for the soul of the internet, the impact of the internet on society and the rise of new media in Britain. In addition, it examines the recuperation of the BBC, how international and European regulation is changing the British media and why Britain has the least trusted press in Europe.

Part 1 Press History: 1 Whig press history as political mythology 2 The struggle for a free press 3 The ugly face of reform 4 The industrialisation of the press 5 the era of the press barons 6 The press under public regulation 7 The press in the age of globalisation Part 2 Broadcasting History: 8 Reith and the denial of politics 9 Broadcasting and the blitz 10 Social revolution? 11 The fall of the BBC 12 Class, taste and profit 13 How the audience is made 14 Video, cable and satellite 15 To be or not to be the BBC: broadcasting in the 1980s and 1990s Part 3 Rise of New Media: 16 Scientists, capitalist and cyberchartists 17 Sociology of the internet 18 New media in Britain Part 4 Theories of the Media: 19 Global futures, the information society and broadcasting 20 The sociology of the mass media 21 The liberal theory of press freedom 22 Broadcasting and the theory of public service Part 5 Politics of the Media: 23 Contradictions in media policy 24 Central debates in media policy