Book Description:
In a society predicated on information, the media has a pervasive presence. From government policy to leisure television, the information age touches us all. The papers collected in this book constitute some of today's leading analyses of the information industry. Together, these essays represent a needed foundation for understanding the present state and future development of the mass media. Current trends in communications as well as media impact on public opinion are studied and reported on.

Table of Contents:
Preface

Chapter 1 - Media Law and the Internet; pp. 1-18
(Ashley Packard, University of Houston)

Chapter 2 - The Convergent Society and the Media Industries;
pp. 19-28
(Barry R. Litman, Michigan Sate University)

Chapter 3 - The "Nuessel-Stewart Ageism Rating Instrument": Literature Review, Format, Implementation and Recommendations for Usage; pp. 29-51
(Frank Nuessel and arthur Van Stewart, University of Louisville)

Chapter 4 - Public Affairs: Competition at the Product Level: The News; pp. 53-71
(George Sylvie, University of Texas)

Chapter 5 - Regulation for Broadcast Indecency: Background and Legal Analysis; pp. 73-101
(Angie A. Welborn and Henry Cohen)

Chapter 6 - Managing and Exploiting Interruption in Multiparty Talk; pp. 103-127
(Jakob Cromdal and Karin Osvaldsson, Linköping University, Sweden)

Chapter 7 - The Media Truth Commission: Brokering a Healing History; pp. 129-150
(William H. Miller)

Index