Discusses participatory processes within the media. By looking at a diversity of media (television, radio, print, web, photography, but also museums), this book focuses on the process of participation itself, and shows how complex and difficult it is for media organisations to uphold their democratic-communicative role.

Introduction   Chapter 1: Defining Participation: An Interdisciplinary Overview 1. Democratic theory and participation 2. Beyond democratic theory 3. Audience participation and communication (rights)3. Audience participation and communication (rights)   Chapter 2: Keyword – Power 1. A conceptual introduction 2. Case 1: Management in the north Belgian audience discussion programme Jan Publiek 3. Case 2: Barometer and the post-political   Chapter 3: Keyword – Identity 1. A conceptual introduction 2. Case 1: The construction of ordinary people in Jan Publiek 3. Case 2: Temptation Island – reality TV and minimalist participation   Chapter 4: Keyword – Organization 1. A conceptual introduction 2. Case 1: BBC’s Video Nation 3. Case 2: RadioSwap   Chapter 5: Keyword – Technology 1. A conceptual introduction 2. Case: Kinoautomat – One man and his house. The lack of uptake of participatory technology   Chapter 6: Keyword – Quality 1. A conceptual introduction 2. Case 1: 16plus, Barometer and the rejection of participatory products 3. Case 2: Alternative and community media constructions of quality: Negotiated quality   Chapter 7: A Short Conclusion