This introduction to the study of political communication covers the following subjects: *The history of the media in the UK and the USA including the concentration of ownership and the emergence of new media technologies *The relationship between the media and political parties, especially the effect the media has had on the policies and internal power structures of parties and other organisations such as pressure groups *Media influence on the electorate and the conduct of democratic politics *The constitutional significance of the politics of the media The first part of the book focuses on the social context and includes detailed analysis of the processes of political communication today, as well as the impact of these on parties, pressure groups and government. Developments in the US are considered alongside those in the UK. The second part places media politics in their constitutional context, covering issues such as open government and freedom of expression, freedom of information, privacy and human rights. Attempts by the governments of the UK and the US to manipulate and control the media are also explored.