The Italian media - the press, cinema, radio and television - is one of the largest and most controversial media industries in mainland Europe. In this introductory text Matthew Hibberd explores the key historical processes and events in the growth and development of Italy's main media and considers it in the context of the economic, political, socio-cultural and technological movements that have affected Italy.

Featuring a timeline of key Italian events, the book begins with the Unification - or Risorgimento - of Italy in 1861, and charts the rise of Italy from a fragmented and rural-based society through to a leading industrialised and urbanised world power. It details Fascism's reliance on the exploitation of the mass media, analyses Italy's remarkable post-war recovery, the development of democratic institutions and the contribution that a pluralistic media has made to this. Finally, it examines Silvio Berlusconi's rise to high political office and questions whether the involvement of Italy's leading media mogul in politics has harmed Italy's international reputation.

The Media in Italy addresses key themes that show how the Italian state and Italian media operate, such as:

• How governing parties and individuals have been able to assert influence over media intuitions
  
• Why there is a close relationship between political elites and media professionals
  
• The lack of consensus over key media reforms
  
• The importance of the Catholic Church in the development of the Italian media
  
• How a unique Italian media system has been shaped by issues of citizenship, democracy and nation-state

The Media in Italy is key reading for students on media, journalism, politics, and modern language courses.