Introduction
The sociology of mass media examines the institutions, products, and audiences of broadcast, print, and, more recently, online media. Its origins can be traced back to traditions governing early American and European sociological thinking, which recognised the growth and influence of the media (the press, specifically) as important to the transforming or modernising of society (see Hardt 2001). Since then, however, media sociology has developed primarily outside of mainstream sociology, in departments of media, communication, and journalism (Pooley and Katz 2008). The displacement of media sociology from mainstream sociology has influenced the direction of its research. It has been able to engage creatively with media institutions, media culture, and media audiences. Nonetheless, its interdisciplinary home has encouraged media sociologists to often reappraise the contribution of their work and reassert its importance (e.g. Waisbord 2014; Schudson 2004; Manza and Brooks 2012). This chapter builds on this effort by describing the development of the subfield and introducing the themes explored in this subdiscipline, including the study of (1) media institutions, professions and practices; (2) content, representations, and social power in media; and (3) media influences, audiences and technology. It concludes with a reflection on some present developments in, and the general influence of, the sociology of mass media
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