The media in Italy : press, cinema and broadcasting from unification to digital

The Italian media - the press, cinema, radio and television - is one of the largest and most controversial media industries in mainland Europe. In this introductory text Matthew Hibberd explores the key historical processes and events in the growth and development of Italy's main media and considers it in the context of the economic, political, socio-cultural and technological movements that have affected Italy. Featuring a timeline of key Italian events, the book begins with the Unification - or Risorgimento - of Italy in 1861, and charts the rise of Italy from a fragmented and rural-based society through to a leading industrialised and urbanised world power. It details Fascism's reliance on the exploitation of the mass media, analyses Italy's remarkable post-war recovery, the development of democratic institutions and the contribution that a pluralistic media has made to this. Finally, it examines Silvio Berlusconi's rise to high political office and questions whether the involvement of Italy's leading media mogul in politics has harmed Italy's international reputation. The Media in Italy addresses key themes that show how the Italian state and Italian media operate, such as: How governing parties and individuals have been able to assert influence over media intuitions Why there is a close relationship between political elites and media professionals The lack of consensus over key media reforms The importance of the Catholic Church in the development of the Italian media How a unique Italian media system has been shaped by issues of citizenship, democracy and nation-state The Media in Italy is key reading for students on media, journalism, politics, and modern language courses. The Italian Media - The Press, Cinema, Radio And Television - Is One Of The Largest And Most Controversial Media Industries In Mainland Europe. In This Introductory Text Matthew Hibberd Explores The Key Historical Processes And Events In The Growth And Development Of Italy's Main Media And Considers It In The Context Of The Economic, Political, Socio-cultural And Technological Movements That Have Affected Italy. Featuring A Timeline Of Key Italian Events, The Book Begins With The Unification - Or Risorgimento - Of Italy In 1861, And Charts The Rise Of Italy From A Fragmented And Rural-based Society Through To A Leading Industrialised And Urbanised World Power. It Details Fascism's Reliance On The Exploitation Of The Mass Media, Analyses Italy's Remarkable Postwar Recovery, The Development Of Democratic Institutions And The Contribution That A Pluralistic Media Has Made To This. Finally, It Examines Silvio Berlusconi's Rise To High Political Office And Questions Whether The Involvement Of Italy's Leading Media Mogul In Politics Has Harmed Italy's International Reputation. The Media In Italy Is Key Reading For Students On Media, Journalism, Politics, And Modern Language Courses.--jacket. Map Of Italy -- 1. Media And The Unification Of Italy -- 2. Liberal Years, 1861-1922 -- 3. Media In Fascist Italy -- 4. First Italian Republic : Cinema And The Press In The Postwar Years -- 5. First Italian Republic : Broadcasting And 'mamma Rai' -- 6. Broadcasting And The Wild West Years -- 7. Second Italian Republic : Cinema And The Press Since 1992 -- 8. Silvio Berlusconi -- 9. Moving Towards Digital : Italian Media In The New Millennium -- 10. Conclusion -- Timeline Of Political Events In Italy, 1861-2007. Matthew Hibberd. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [159]-172) And Index. Front cover......Page 1 Half title......Page 2 Series editor......Page 3 Title page......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Map of Italy......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1 The media and the Unification of Italy......Page 24 2 The liberal years, 1861-1922......Page 34 3 The media in fascist Italy......Page 44 4 The First Italian Republic: cinema and the press in the postwar years......Page 54 5 The First Italian Republic: Broadcasting and 'Mamma RAI'......Page 76 6 Broadcasting and the wild west years......Page 86 7 The Second Italian Republic: cinema and The Press since 1992......Page 102 8 Silvio Berlusconi......Page 112 9 Moving towards digital: Italian media in the new millennium......Page 134 10 Conclusion......Page 144 Timeline of political events in Italy, 1861-2007......Page 150 Notes......Page 160 Bibliography......Page 170 Index......Page 184 Back cover......Page 194 Framing the media in the context of Italy, this book explores why politics and government are so closely linked, and assess the question of whether it's just national pride that has allowed the media to remain relatively independent of global groups