IMPACT! In the U.S. today, the mass media are everywhere you turn-exerting economic, social and political impact as well providing information and entertainment. In this survey of the mass media you will learn: (a) the historical development of each medium, highlighting the movers-and-shakers past and present; (b) the economics of the mass media-who pays for the media and how much money these industries earn each year; (c) the business of the media-how each medium works; (d) the state of the media today, based on the most current example and data available, with forecast for the prospects for the future of each medium; (e) media issues and debates-their implications, for you and for American society.