The Creation of the Media: The Political Origins of Mass Communications

Paul Starr. The Creation of the Media: The Political Origins of Mass Communications. New York: Basic, 2004.

Paul Starr, a Princeton sociologist, has done extensive research to produce a media history spanning the years 1600-1941 (the latter year was chosen because Starr believes it marks the beginning of American media combination and consolidation). The book argues that communications only does well when following the American model, in which neither the government nor private monopolies have absolute control.

American...