This book explores the place of Media Studies in the age of 'fake news' analysing the calls
for a curriculum of critical news literacy as part of a cyclical policy debate. With the need
for young people in democracies to understand mainstream news agendas and take a critical
perspective on social media news including so-called 'fake news' this book argues for Media
Studies as a mandatory subject. However 'fake news' is not presented in the book as a stable
neutral term with a clear definition but is instead defined as an idea that risks obscuring
the key critical and political premise of Media Studies. All media representation requires
critical deconstruction: therefore any distinction between 'real' and 'fake' media is a false
binary. The author draws together two narrative strands: one analysing contemporary news and
journalism featuring interviews with journalists and news commentators and the other
re-appraising the discipline of Media Studies itself. This bold and innovative book will appeal
to all those interested in the nebulous and often confusing media landscape as well as
students and practitioners of Media Studies.
