The advertising industry has changed out of all recognition over the past twenty years. The map of global communications has been redrawn by a flood of mergers and takeovers, and the media industry is now dominated by a handful of transnational conglomerates. Advertising companies have diversified into television production, public relations, media buying and marketing services. In the gap created by the crisis in public service provision, advertising has stepped in, forming a network whcih enervates media, economies, cultures, politics and international relations. Armand Mattelart's outstanding survey assesses the development and future prospects of this industry of public noise', and assesses the implications for democracy of the rise and rise of the communications society.