Using a combination of case study materials, theoretical reflection and critical analysis this book explores four central issues for the study of new media and their impact on their user communities

• Impact of convergence on traditional media – explores the implications of media convergence for everyday media use and for the policy context
• Activism – case studies explore how user communities with special access needs are ensuring they are not denied access to the emerging new media world
• Access – an overview of areas where the introduction of new media has created debate about which social and cultural groups will benefit and about new media policy
• Participation – examines the implications of the ommodification of information for the way audience formations are structured and operate

Part 1 Digitisation and Convergence
1. Technological Determinism and Mobile Privatisation – Jim McGuigan
2. New Media Worlds? Challenges for Convergence – Virginia Nightingale
3. New Media: The Policy Agenda – Tim Dwyer
4. The Contrary 'Pulls' of Digital Media: Radio Listener Networks in the Era of Mobile Communications Media – Jackie Cook Part Summary

Part 2 Activism
5. Indigenous People and the Communication Rights Agenda: A Global Perspective – Juan Francisco Salazar
6. Disability and Online Culture – Gerard Goggin and Christopher Newell
7. Crisis and Internet networks – Ullamaija Kivikuru
8. Surfing Against the Tide: The Use of New Media Technologies for Social Activism in South Africa – Herman  Wasserman
9. Participation, Play and Socialising in New Media Environments – Gunn Enli and Trine Syvertsen
10. Creativity, Collaboration and New Media Innovation in a Community Context – Elaine Lally
11. Community Media and the Public Sphere in Australia – Jacqui Ewart, Susan Forde, Kerrie Foxwell and Michael Meadows Part Summary

Part 3 Access
12. 'Access Denied': Arguments about Equality and Access to New Media in the Information Society – Stephen Lax
13. Participation, Access and Interaction: Changing Perspectives – Nico Carpentier
14. Universal Access in South Africa: Broadening Communication or Building Infrastructure? – Simon Burton and Anton van der Hoven
15. Dimensions in Media Diversity – Tim Dwyer
16. On Fair Terms: Public Participation in Communications Regulation in Australia – Derek Wilding Part Summary

Part 4 Participation
17. Emergence, Search and Social Networking – Virginia Nightingale
18. Just Do It: The Brand As New Media Object – Celia Lury
19. Digital Technologies and Moral Economies – Graham Murdock Part Summary
 

Virginia Nightingale , Associate Professor, School of Communication Arts, University of Western Sydney

Tim Dwyer , Lecturer, University of Wester Sydney

Themes Weblinks
Glossary
Videos

Themes Weblinks
Glossary
Videos