DENIS McQUAIL

FROM THE PREFACE: The principal origins of this book date back to the mid-1970s, when, on secondment from the University of Southampton, I directed research into the content of British newspapers on behalf of the 1974-77 Royal Commission on the Press, which included in its terns of reference the task of inquiring into the 'editorial standards of newspapers and periodicals'. This was the first time that l had tried to grapple systematically with the concept of media performance in the sense of expectations concerning the broader public role of mass media. I discovered that there was rather little relevant social or media theory suitable for the task and few coherent attempts had been made to connect social theory with the sort of empirical enquiry called for by the terms of reference cited.

SAGE Publications. London - Newbury Park .