Discusses the way the mass media treats social problems, its contribution to causing and curing social problems, and its use by concerned organisations and groups wishing to act to reduce social problems. It brings together a wide range of topics including racism, sexism, poverty, violence, pornography, the educational disadvantaged, and crime and justice.

• Front Cover 2
• The Mass Media and Social Problems 5
• Copyright Page 6
• Introduction to the Series 7
• Table of Contents 9
• PART ONE: THE HISTORICAL AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND TO THE DEBATE ON THE MASS MEDIA AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS 11
  • Chapter 1. Introduction 13
  • Chapter 2. Three Models of Mass Communications Research 17
    • The Effects Model 17
    • The Uses and Gratifications Model 21
    • The Cultural Ratification Model 26
    • Conclusions 27
  • Chapter 3. Important Concepts in Mass Communications Theory 28
    • The Structure of Communication 28
    • Gatekeepers 29