"What might have been a forbidding chronological slog is thoroughly enlivened by Conboy's thematic approach, shot through with passion and rigour in equal measure. This is a book written with a commitment to the importance of history for the present; it will undeniably cultivate the same commitment in its readers."

- Chris Atton, Edinburgh Napier University




"An authoritative and accessible introduction to the history of journalism. Excellent resource for undergraduates."

- Philip Dixon, Southampton Solent University





A firm grasp of journalism's development and contribution to social and political debates is a cornerstone of any media studies education. This book teaches students that essential historical literacy, providing a full overview of how changes in the ownership, emphasis and technologies of journalism in Britain have been motivated by social, economic and cultural shifts among readerships and markets.


Covering journalism's enduring questions - political coverage, the influence of advertising, the sensationalization of news coverage, the popular market and the economic motives of the owners of newspapers - this book is a comprehensive, articulate and rich account of how the mediascape of modern Britain has been shaped.