Categorizes attempts to account for how viewers garner meanings from motion pictures as either semiotic, realist, or conventionalist. Proposes an alternative explanation based on J. J. Gibson's ecological theory of perception. Offers his concept of "affordances" as the key to an explanation of how meanings in motion pictures are…

Notes that film has no clear set of rules, unlike all languages, which are deductive systems interpreted according to clear sets of rules. Suggests that film is an inductive system whose interpretation is based on a general understanding of events depicted as modified by production variables such as lighting, camera angles, and the context of…

Argues that city magazines have vast unexplored potential as agenda setters, investigative reporters, and advocates of improved cities. Traces the historical development of city magazines, reviews the limited research in the field, and suggests research approaches that the magazines could use to expand their services to readers, advertisers,…

Offers suggestions for multicultural media monitoring in Europe. Argues that besides practical suggestions, a new theoretical framework needs to elaborated about the forms and functions of news and other media messages so that practical recommendations, critique, and monitoring will have the desired effects. (SR)

Argues that changes in current journalistic practices will be required if regional strife is to be adequately understood and reported. Suggests that peace researchers and other social scientists work together with journalists to bring interdisciplinary resources to bear on complex reporting problems. (SR)

Discusses the Media Monitoring Project (MMP) of South Africa, an organization that monitored the media ahead of and during South Africa's first democratic elections. Describes the MMP's roots and its activities and impact before, during, and after the election. (SR)

Argues that, in the case of Poland, media history is best seen as a series of expansions and retractions of press freedom. Advocates a new press culture, both on the part of journalists and their audiences, in addition to the establishment of freer press laws and financially sound institutions. (SR)

Discusses media-related changes in Russia, Poland, and Hungary since the 1980s. Reviews current media theories in the United States for their ability to guide research into media processes in these three countries. Finds that much media research has paid insufficient attention to economic forces, international relations, the state, political…

Examines quantitative magazine research studies published in various journals during the period 1983-1993. Questions the heavy reliance on content analysis techniques to study the role of magazines in American society. Calls for a redirection in magazine research, combining media content studies with media effects studies. (SR)