IAMCR - International Association for Media and Communication Research

The Political Economy Section examines the role of power in the production, distribution and exchange of mediated communication. Drawing from the rich history of political economic theory, Section members study social relations in their totality, consider how they have developed historically, evaluate them according to standards of social justice, and intervene to bring about a more just and democratic world.

Chair: Janet Wasko (*) [Contact]
Vice-chair: Helena Sousa [Contact]

(*) Section Head 

Section Website: http://jcomm.uoregon.edu/~IAMCR-PolEcon/index.html

This Section examines the role of power in the production, distribution and exchange of mediated communication including the study social relations in their totality, how they have developed historically, evaluating them according to standards of social justice, and intervening to bring about a more just and democratic world. Section members have been rethinking political economy in the light of developments in various parts of the world including the relationship between globalisation and localisation; the production of goods and services by firms in China; commodification and commercialisation; liberalisation and neoliberal policies, ideology and culture and how these issues influence control over the news and politicians. They are also concerned with issues around democracy including the challenges of limited funds available to alternative media outlets; linguistic issues, organisational issues and political insecurity.

Members of the Political Economy Section.