Description

Book Synopsis

This book questions the predominance of âœmedia abundanceâ as a guiding concept for contemporary mediated politics. The authors argue that media abundance is not a universal condition, and that certain individuals, communities, and even nations can more accurately be referred to as media scarce â where access to media technologies and content is limited, highly controlled, or surveilled.

Through case studies that focus on guerilla militants, incarcerated Indigenous people, and cold warâera infrastructure, including Soviet âœclosedâ or âœsecretâ cities and Canadian nuclear bunkers, the bookâs chapters interrogate how the once media scarce later âœspeakâ to â and can be heard by â the predominant, abundant media culture. Drawing from several art projects and diverse cultural sites, the book highlights how media scarce communities negotiate and otherwise narrate their place in the world, their past experiences and lives, and escape from subjugation. To better understand media scarce politics, the book asks how and when communities become â by accident or force, by choice or necessity â media scarce.

This innovative and insightful text will appeal to students and scholars around the world working in the areas of media and politics, art and politics, visual studies, surveillance studies, and communication studies.

The Politics of Media Scarcity

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    A Paperback by Greg Elmer

    15 in stock

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      Publisher: Taylor & Francis
      Publication Date: 5/27/2025
      ISBN13: 9781032504698, 978-1032504698
      ISBN10: 1032504692

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      This book questions the predominance of âœmedia abundanceâ as a guiding concept for contemporary mediated politics. The authors argue that media abundance is not a universal condition, and that certain individuals, communities, and even nations can more accurately be referred to as media scarce â where access to media technologies and content is limited, highly controlled, or surveilled.

      Through case studies that focus on guerilla militants, incarcerated Indigenous people, and cold warâera infrastructure, including Soviet âœclosedâ or âœsecretâ cities and Canadian nuclear bunkers, the bookâs chapters interrogate how the once media scarce later âœspeakâ to â and can be heard by â the predominant, abundant media culture. Drawing from several art projects and diverse cultural sites, the book highlights how media scarce communities negotiate and otherwise narrate their place in the world, their past experiences and lives, and escape from subjugation. To better understand media scarce politics, the book asks how and when communities become â by accident or force, by choice or necessity â media scarce.

      This innovative and insightful text will appeal to students and scholars around the world working in the areas of media and politics, art and politics, visual studies, surveillance studies, and communication studies.

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