Introduction to media and communication governance:from labelling to theorizing and practice

As an introduction to the Handbook of Media and Communication Governance, this chapter takes a deep dive into the notion of and issues relating to governance. It traces the use of governance generally and specifically in the field of media and communication, embracing a comprehensive definition. It then positions governance as an analytical concept that should not be used simply as a fancier label for regulation and argues that theorizing governance is essential for this concept to be applied as more than a heuristic. Next, we look at choices about, and challenges for, media and communication governance. The chapter ends with an elaboration of the editors’ positions. The chapters in this book are referred to throughout where they discuss media and communication governance in the light of theories, challenges, forms and levels of governance as well as rights and relevant issues for research and practice.