Mass Communication Theory An Introduction

by Denis McQuail

The fully revised edition of this successful textbook has been comprehensively rewritten to take account of recent theory and research and to improve the accessibility of the text. The book provides a nontechnical introduction to the range of approaches to understanding mass communication. It offers an integrated treatment of the major components of mass communication - the sender, the message and the audience - and encompasses the various forms of mass communication in contemporary societies including television, radio, newspapers, film, music and new communication technologies. Throughout, Denis McQuail shows how theories of mass communication relate to the understanding of society as a whole.

Genres: Communication, Nonfiction, Social Science, Grad School

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was highly recommended by a lecturer on my journalism course. While journalism is certainly part of the content, this book also looks at the many forms of media including books, film, telephone and internet content.
If you want to find a quote for your essay you will certainly find it in this book.

The author has kept coming back to it and updating so certain passages read as though tacked on later, the historical discussions at the start being less altered, while other topics are up to date such as the blogosphere and getting sponsored for Youtube content adverts and product placement. The author is greatly concerned about the funding of independent journalism because sponsors, advertisers and politics can set the agenda and content.

Mainly this is a dense book which looks at structure, reach, economics and professional standards. I did find a certain amount of repetition. Terms like semiotics (communicating though signs or symbols) and horizonal or vertical market coverage are explained. Horizontal means ownership or representation in various media across the market, like films, tv, newspapers, books, or owning more than one tv station. Vertical means owning or being featured in the film production company, the film distributor, the cinema, the gift shop of the cinema, DVDs, the film bloggers and critics.

Many authors and surveys and texts are referenced throughout the book, with each chapter carrying its own list of references. Not a few of those texts are by McQuail himself, but I guess it's okay if you're the authority on the topic. I found female authors referenced on most chapters. There is a brief section on feminist portrayals and another on minority portrayals, with nods to genre publishing including romance and westerns.

I borrowed this book from the Dublin Business School Library. This is an unbiased review.

[Swapnil · Rating 3 out of 5]

im a media study student

[Marie]

ik ben eindelijk the fuck klaar met dit kut boek, you better believe dat ik het toevoeg aan mijn "read" van goodreads.

[Ima - · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sebenarnya ini buku nggak wajin untuk di beli waktu mahasiswa. Krn teori2nya banyak di buku2 komunikasi lainnya. Tetapi gw beli buku ini, saat itu masih semester 3. Siapa tahu nanti pas skripsi gw butuh. Akhirnya memang sangat membantu gw pas skripsi terutama soal teori2nya yg banyak di terapkan dlm berkomunikasi sehari2 maupun sebagai praktisi komunikasi. Nggak menyesal deh, gw sampe nabung dulu membeli buku ini. Maklum, anak kost. Hehehe....hehe.....

[Melusina · Rating 3 out of 5]

One never finishes reading this book, so I thought I should write my review anyway. The English-speaking bible of media sciences has disappointed me greatly. The book focuses on more or less important topics with no sense of order. There are better and more concise books giving a general overview of communication science.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are 621 pages with no pictures and no examples. I read all of them. The cover is pretty, though.

[Chris · Rating 1 out of 5]

TERRIBLE, wnated to jump off a building

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bible of mass media and communication theory, great compendium for these who study this subject. However, sometimes the explanation and used language was difficult to comprehend.
Good edition for revising before exams.

[Frédérique Hazéová · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vyčerpávajúce.

[Neng Dian · Rating 5 out of 5]

its very good book, relate to my study

[Grete Kaio · Rating 5 out of 5]

tahan eksamist läbi saada xoxo

[jc ₊˚ʚ ᗢ₊˚✧ ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

tack för allt mr mcquail! nu har man klarat av kandidatuppsatsen också 🫡

[Grace Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cant forget everything I read in this book. This book is so impactful to me. It was my best friend back in my freshman year in university. When I was alone, when my thought kinda lost and felt I wanted to give up because of the difficulty I faced in learning communication, I looked into this book and found an enlightenment. Also, a good 'shoulder' to lay my head when I was sleepy. Really, this book was the first best friend I could make in univ year. Without it, I wouldn't be a successful person like I am. Thank you McQuail for writing this. Love you. Cheers!

[Michal Marek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imo dost špatně strukturované, díky čemuž nepodává obsah vždycky úplně jasně. Chybí tomu víc hierarchie a souvislostí v rámci modelů, teorií, efektů atp. - takovej odstup, bigger picture. Zato tomu nechybí prázdný věty a občas je to fakt zdlouhavý. Je to 3.5, ale zaokrouhluju nahoru, protože kdo jsem já abych im memoriam soudil emeritního profesora školy, kde studuju.

[Nuria · Rating 4 out of 5]

buku pegangan melewati teori komunikasi massa, sosiologi komunikasi massa, perspektif dan teori komunikasi, dan perkembangan teknologi informasi...huaaaahhhh....

[Yvonne Innstrand · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book that I use at uni.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book helps me develop a research proposal for finding out if 21st century radio will develop digitally with audience listening options in mind.

[Noora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Osittain mielenkiintoinen, osittain puuduttavan tylsä ja hidaslukuinen tenttikirja.

[Endri Junaedi]

McQuail's Mass Communication Theory

[Alfred Banda]

Am failing to download the book, what should I do?

[Lap_sugarfree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of the book are a little bit obsolet, however there are many interesting things worth to read and worth to investigate about

[Vincentius · Rating 4 out of 5]

good

[Ryuga Koi · Rating 3 out of 5]

its good to study