(Communication and Society)
by Stephen Cushion
Offering one of the most
comprehensive assessments of alternative media to date, Beyond
Mainstream Media examines the rise of alternative media over the last
decade, analysing their changing content and editorial strategies, and
exploring why many people go beyond the mainstream media for news and
information.
Considering the
differences in agenda between alternative and mainstream media
coverage, Cushion sheds light on why right-wing alternative media have
become a more prominent part of national media systems than left-wing
sites in the Western World. In doing so, he argues that alternative
left-wing media should place less emphasis on attacking professional
journalism and focus more on converging into the world of mainstream
news to promote their politics. This book draws on over 3,500 articles
and 17,000 social media posts produced by alternative media, extensive
interviews with editors and contributors, and a survey of over 2,700
media users. It develops a comparative international perspective by
explaining how findings and concepts can be applied to understanding
much broader issues, such as public distrust in the mainstream media or
the influence different media and political systems have on the
production of alternative media.
Providing
both an introduction to and a critical analysis of the state of
alternative media today, this book is written in clear, jargon-free
language and is recommended reading for advanced students undertaking
courses in Alternative Media and Political Journalism.
