The Media And The Public: ''them'' And ''us'' In Media Discourse (communication In The Public Interest)

The Media and the Public “Them” and “Us” in Media Discourse Stephen Coleman and Karen Ross A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication The Media and the Public Communication in the Public Interest Communication has never been more important than in our current cultural moment. From the growing monopolization of global media, to human rights issues, health campaigns, and issues of free speech and society, communication has real political and ethical consequences. The books in this ICA Wiley-Blackwell Communication in the Public Interest series are accessible and definitive treatments of subjects central to understanding communication and its intersections to the wider world; they will widen understanding, encourage discussion, and illuminate the importance of communicating about issues that affect people’s lives. Already published Susan Moeller: Packaging Terrorism: Co-opting the News for Politics and Profit Roxanne Parrott: Talking about Health: Why Communication Matters Stephen Coleman and Karen Ross: The Media and the Public: “Them” and “Us” in Media Discourse Forthcoming Nadia Caidi: Right to Know: Information Post 9/11 Michael Delli Carpini: Beyond the Ivory Tower: Communication and the Public Interest The Media and the Public “Them” and “Us” in Media Discourse Stephen Coleman and Karen Ross A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first published 2010 © 2010 Stephen Coleman and Karen Ross Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing program has been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell. Registered Office John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, United Kingdom Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148–5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell. The right of Stephen Coleman and Karen Ross to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Coleman, Stephen, 1957– The media and the public : “them” and “us” in media discourse / Stephen Coleman and Karen Ross. p. cm. – (Communication in the public interest) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4051-6040-7 (hardcover : alk. paper) – ISBN 978-1-4051-6041-4 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Mass media–Audiences. 2. Mass media and cu