Media Independence

<p>Media independence is central to the organization make-up working practices and output of media systems across the globe. Often stemming from western notions of individual and political freedoms independence has informed the development of media across a range of platforms: from the freedom of the press as the fourth estate and the rise of Hollywood’s Independent studios and Independent television in Britain through to the importance of Indy labels in music and gaming and the increasing importance of independence of voice in citizen journalism. Media independence for many therefore has come to mean working with freedom: from state control or interference from monopoly from market forces as well as freedom to report comment create and document without fear of persecution. However far from a stable concept that informs all media systems the notion of media independence has long been contested forming a crucial tension point in the regulation shape size and role of the media around the globe. </p><p>Contributors including David Hesmondhalgh Gholam Khiabany José van Dijck Hector Postigo Anthony Fung Stuart Allan and Geoff King demonstrate how the notion of independence has remained paramount but contested in ideals of what the media is for how it should be regulated what it should produce and what working within it should be like. They address questions of economics labor relations production cultures ideologies and social functions.</p>