The Newsphere : Understanding the News and Information Environment

Emerging from integral theories of Teilhard de Chardin and embracing Neil Postman's media ecology, the reception theories of John Fiske, and work of many scholars, this title constructs a theoretical, historical, and practical framework for news as ecology. It illuminates how stories emerge and evolve across digital networks and complex systems.

This book balances critical theory and professional practice to create specific strategies that result in more effective and enlightened news production and consumption. Emerging from the integral theories of Teilhard de Chardin and embracing Neil Postman’s media ecology, the reception theories of John Fiske, and the work of many contemporary scholars, The Newsphere constructs a solid theoretical, historical, and practical framework for news as ecology. It illuminates how stories emerge and evolve across digital networks and complex systems and examines the historical and theoretical forces that are precipitating the decay of the traditional American news and information structure. This book is an exciting and progressive foundation text for introductory journalism and mass communication courses, with applications in advanced reporting, new media, news literacy, media ethics, and political science classes. The Newsphere will inspire its readers to move beyond the conventional and to embrace the new news, a dynamic network of unlimited participation.