This handbook compiles received knowledge about media. Starting from the technical and organizational pre-requisites, it proceeds to deal with historical foundations and developments, expanding the historical account with a series of cross-sections and longitudinal sections. Its account of present-day media concentrates on technology, organization, programmes, communicative and aesthetic functions, and developmental trends. Media society is analysed from the viewpoints of market strategy, politics, law, ethics, education and culture. Surveys are provided of major research areas, research organisations and allied and supplementary disciplines as a ready aid to orientation within the field.