In the age of reality television, 24-hour news and personality politics, understanding how media function has become a key aspect of the active citizen’s cultural awareness. With this in mind, this book argues for a new form of dialogue between students and scholars of the media and popular audiences. It aims to democratize media studies research and to extend its accessibility and significance beyond the academy to a wider public.

Featuring case studies on cyber-bullying, online mourning, video-gaming violence and Donald Trump’s Twitter activity, this book:

• Explains how media studies is a form of historical research


• Outlines the key pillars of qualitative research


• Demonstrates how key concepts translate into research methods which enable analysis of readily available data


• Applies theoretical arguments to up-to-date, recognizable examples to aid understanding.

With media institutions arguably more powerful than ever before, this book helps readers to navigate the chaotic, complex and compelling world of media influence in the 21st century.