Digital-Age Resistance: Journalism, Social Movements and the Media Dependence Model

In this trailblazing book, social movements, the mainstream news media system and public policy are tackled in order to arm readers with an "intellectual self-defense" of the realities of trillion-dollar valued platform conglomerates, the pandemic and the reality television-show-presidency of Donald Trump and its go at a second term. Firmly situated at the intersection between journalism, activism and the deployment of power, the author places his analysis within an international context which further develops a critical paradigm, called the Media Dependence Model (MDM). Featuring a foreword by Daniel and Noam Chomsky and a preface by Robert W. McChesney, the book offers a cutting-edge overview of the news media landscape both within the U.S. and globally. The MDM critically analyzes dichotomous patterns of mainstream press coverage of the #ClimateStrike, #FamiliesBelongTogether, #EvasionMasiva (Chile), #FightForHongKong, #RickyRenuncia (Puerto Rico) and #CancelRent movements and the pro-Trump #liberate resistance, contrasting them with social media and other historic movements. "Evergreen" topics such as immigration, climate change and net neutrality are explored on an in-depth basis, along with media reforms and concrete policy solutions. The book straddles disciplines including media, policy and journalism studies, political economy and international and political communication. It is a must-read for scholars, students, policy advisers, media makers, social media enthusiasts, grassroots activists, NGO's and concerned citizens alike