Argues for a more interdisciplinary approach to journalism scholarship to provide a fuller account of media power. Considers briefly the notions of performance, narrative, ritual, and interpretive community as alternative frames through which to consider journalism. (SR)

Argues that media pedagogics constitutes a discipline of media sciences and of media culture; however, dialog across the boundaries between various fields and branches is problematic. Sketches different phases of a virtual dialog between media pedagogics and media production to illustrate the gap and the importance of bridging it. (DSK)

Commodification is one of the media mechanisms that shape and proliferate images of femininity which result in the disempowerment of women and of female athletes. The method of homology is used to analyze commodification, one of the formal structures or mechanisms of patriarchy. After a description of this mechanism, the discussion focuses on how…

The right of publicity is based on an individual's right to be free from the appropriation of his or her name or likeness by another for the other's financial benefit. As the courts' conception of the right of publicity was exapnding, so was the development of newsworthiness as a defense for media defendants. In "Zacchini v.…

Although usually considered the "master of suspense," Alfred Hitchcock relished working humor into his films, frequently juxtaposing it against scenes of utter gruesomeness. This placement of comic elements--comic relief--in an otherwise serious murder mystery or suspense thriller became a Hitchcock trademark early in his career.…

Scientific researchers traditionally have held that the use of data represents a test of hypotheses or theories. Social psychologist William McGuire has developed a contrary position, arguing that instead of testing hypotheses and theories, research merely specifies their limitations, generality, and assumptions. McGuire's contextualism suggests…

The principles of synergy, particularly as described by Charles Hampden-Turner in "Maps of the Mind," can be applied to critical thinking in television broadcasting. Synergy is the process by which one need or person combines optimally with another. A metaphor for the idea of the concrete and the abstract working together while they are…

Of all the mass media, radio is the most abundant, both in terms of the number of radio stations in operation and the number of radio receivers in use. Unfortunately, given the dynamics of a competitive market and the Federal Communications Commission's reluctance to interfere with a licensee's discretion in the choice of format, format…

Responds to criticism of the uses and gratification model by proposing a modified model integrating the dependency perspective. Suggests that this integrated model broadens the heuristic application of the earlier model. (MS)

Using Burkean analysis, this essay shows how films about haunted houses can serve as symbolic equipment to help audiences cope with real life problems. (PD)

Argues that the major studies supporting the Principle of Relative Constancy in consumption of mass communication products were statistically defective. Presents updated tests of data suggesting that the principle is actually of doubtful predictive value. (MS)

Suggests that academic research in journalism needs to deal with more relevant problems and issues faced by the newspaper industry to better prepare students for the profession and to bring needed credibility and respect to journalism schools. (HTH)

How the large number of empirical tests and arguments that have been conducted to prove that mass media violence directly influences behavior have failed to discredit contrary arguments is discussed. (Author/RM)

Presents theory of "audience design" which assumes that speakers design their style of talk for their audience, and examines how speakers do this. Also examines the effects on style shift of nonpersonal factors (such as topic and setting) and of referees (the class of persons with whom the speaker identifies). (SED)

Traces the steps taken by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in its entry into foreign language broadcasting in the 1920s and 1930s. (FL)