Introduction

This introduction deals with British media history and historiography. It first defines how the concepts of “issues” and “singularity” are to be interpreted, and sets the notional framework within which the media in general and images in particular will be studied—how they (literally) mediate between the real and the receiver: in other words, how they enable but also shape the audience’s interpretation of reality. It then offers a short historical overview from the Gutenberg revolution to the contemporary era in order to trace how the media have imposed themselves as influential instruments of both propaganda and counterpower, with a focus on the BBC and public service broadcasting. Finally, it describes the ambition of the present volume, which combines diachronic and synchronic analyses of the press, cinema and the internet to examine how they contribute to fostering a sense of community amongst their audience while projecting a certain image of Britain.