The Media Manifesto

Natalie Fenton (Author), Des Freedman (Author), Justin Schlosberg (Author), Lina Dencik (Author)

9781509538058, Polity Press

Hardback, published 26 June 2020

140 pages
19.3 x 13 x 1.8 cm, 0.249 kg

‘This timely and essential book presents a searing blueprint for democratizing our media. Expertly combining theory and critique with praxis, the book does exactly what a manifesto should do – it provides readers with the necessary analytical tools and culminates with a call to action. Another system is possible, and these brilliant scholar-activists show us the way forward!' 
Victor Pickard,​ Annenburg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania​ 

‘Media giants, fake news, data justice. This is the essential guide to what is wrong with today’s media and how to make it right.’ 
Vincent Mosco, author of The Smart City in a Digital World

‘a powerful and imaginative proposition that not only insightfully articulates the complexity of the problem but also makes a start at (re)conceptualising a radical political imaginary. Indeed, this manifesto has not only captured the spirit (or spectre) of change that our age sorely needs but has made a wonderfully inspiring start at materialising it.’
Global Policy

‘The Media Manifesto is a refreshing text that is not scared of stepping on the toes of powerful media organizations and dominant media theories of our times. ...this book will be of immense value to anyone who shares the authors’ vision for an emancipated society that rests on the principles of justice, liberty and democracy.’
European Journal of Communication

Our media systems are in crisis. Run by unaccountable corporations and dominated by agendas and algorithms that are shrouded in mystery, these formerly trusted sources of information and entertainment have lost their way. As consumers, we have plenty of choice, but as citizens we have an abundance of misinformation and misrepresentation.

In this incisive manifesto, four prominent media scholars and activists put forth a roadmap for radical reform of concentrated media power. They argue that we should put media justice, economic democracy and social equality at the heart of our scholarship and our campaigning.

The Media Manifesto delivers a sharp analysis of our communications crisis and a passionate call for urgent change. It provides resources of hope for media reform movements across the globe.

1 Challenging Media Power Today

Why a manifesto?

Subject Areas: Society & culture: general [JF]