Featuring an innovative organization and in-depth research, Comparing Media from Around the World discusses
how media systems are similar and different across the globe.
Comparing Media from Around the World discusses the fundamental elements of media systems and shows how they are
used in eight sample countries. Unlike other texts, it is organized according to media elements, with comparative
discussions of all eight countries within each chapter. This helps students make connections and comparisons between
the countries and allows them to apply the concepts to other countries not discussed in the text. The text also
features exciting photographs from the sample countries showing not only the media but how they are experienced
in context (for example, a newspaper kiosk in France and an Internet shop in Ghana).
Features
Each chapter discusses a single element of a media system (for example, financing of media) and compares it
across media systems in eight countries, allowing students to make comparisons of countries within each chapter.
Photos of media from eight countries, most taken specifically for this text, provide examples of newspapers,
radio listings, television shows, Web sites, and more, helping students see how media systems operate in other
countries.
Five �Primer� questions begin each chapter, helping students establish their own baseline of knowledge about
the subject of the chapter and prime their curiosity.
An accessible writing style with many clear examples makes the material comprehensible and interesting to students.
Table of Contents
Preface.
1. Introduction.
Primer Questions
Media from Around the World
Eight Countries Selected for Comparing Media from Around the World
Limitations and Strengths of the Eight Selected Countries
Beyond Country as a Unit of Analysis
The Importance of Comparing
A Rhetorical Perspective
The Organization of Chapters in This Book
Summary
2. Climate of Globalization.
Primer Questions
Four Factors Stimulating Globalization
Criticisms of Globalization
Summary
3. Elements of a Media System.
Primer Questions
The Methodological Approach of a System
Centrality of Media Content
Using a Rhetorical Perspective to Generate Elements of a Media System
Elements of a Media System
Elements of a Media System as a Tree
Summary
4. Cultural Characteristics of the Eight Countries.
Primer Questions
Cultural Characteristics of France
Cultural Characteristics of Sweden (Sverige)
Cultural Characteristics of the UK (United Kingdom)
Cultural Characteristics of the United States of America (USA)
Cultural Characteristics of México (Estados Unidos México, or Mexican United States)
Cultural Characteristics of China (People's Republic of China, or )
Cultural Characteristics of Ghana (Republic of Ghana)
Cultural Characteristics of Lebanon (Republic of Lebanon, or )
Comparative Summary
5. Philosophies for Media Systems.
Primer Questions
Authoritarian Philosophy
Libertarian Philosophy
Communist Philosophy
Social Responsibility Philosophy
Developmental Philosophy
Democratic-Participant Philosophy
Comparative Summary
6. Regulation of Media.
Primer Questions
Categories of Regulatory Bodies
Regulation of Media in the EU (European Union)
Regulation of Media in France
Regulation of Media in Sweden
Regulation of Media in the UK
Regulation of Media in the USA
Regulation of Media in México
Regulation of Media in China
Regulation of Media in Ghana
Regulation of Media in Lebanon
Comparative Summary
7. Financing of Media.
Primer Questions
Methods of Financing
Financing of Media in France
Financing of Media in Sweden
Financing of Media in the UK
Financing of Media in the USA
Financing of Media in México
Financing of Media in China
Financing of Media in Ghana
Financing of Media in Lebanon
Comparative Summary
8. Accessibility of Media.
Primer Questions
Newspaper Distribution Terms
Radio and Television Terms
Source Citation for Statistical Data Presented
Newspaper Titles as Idioms
Accessibility of Media in France
Accessibility of Media in Sweden
Accessibility of Media in the UK
Accessibility of Media in the USA
Accessibility of Media in México
Accessibility of Media in China
Accessibility of Media in Ghana
Accessibility of Media in Lebanon
Comparative Summary
9. Media Content.
Primer Questions
Defining Media Content
Distinctive Themes in Media Content
Media Content in France
Media Content in Sweden
Media Content in the UK
Media Content in the USA
Media Content in México
Media Content in China
Media Content in Ghana
Media Content in Lebanon
Comparative Summary
10. News Reporting.
Primer Questions
Defining News Reporting
Bias versus Objectivity in News Reporting
Entertainment versus Serious News Reporting
Depth versus Brevity in News Reporting
News Reporting in France
News Reporting in Sweden
News Reporting in the UK
News Reporting in the USA
News Reporting in México
News Reporting in China
News Reporting in Ghana
News Reporting in Lebanon
Comparative Summary
11. Media Imports and Exports.
Primer Questions
Factors Influencing the Exporting of Media Content
France's Media Imports
France's Media Exports
Sweden's Media Imports
Sweden's Media Exports
The UK's Media Imports
The UK's Media Exports
The USA's Media Imports
Media Exports from the USA
México's Media Imports
México's Media Exports
China's Media Imports
Media Exports from China
Ghana's Media Imports
Ghana's Media Exports
Lebanon's Media Imports
Lebanon's Media Exports
Comparative Summary
12. Media Audiences.
Primer Questions
A Rhetorical Perspective on Media Audiences
Source Citations for Statistical Data
Internet Audiences
Media Audiences in France
Media Audiences in Sweden
Media Audiences in the UK
Media Audiences in the USA
Media Audiences in México
Media Audiences in China
Media Audiences in Ghana
Media Audiences in Lebanon
Comparative Summary
13. Conclusion.
Primer Questions
Summary of the Chapters
Unique Attributes of Each Country's Media System
Final Thoughts about "The Forest" of Media Systems
