This analysis begins with a discussion of theoretical issues involved in democratic, participatory, alternative, and community communications. In light of these concepts, the authors explore various alternative developments in new communications and information technologies, as well as various social movements in local, national and international settings. The issue, to critical communications researchers, is not just technology and its ability to process information, but who owns it, who controls it, and who has access to it? In short, who presses the buttons? The struggle for alternative democratic solutions will continue and this book is an attempt to engage in such struggle.

Janet Wasko is Professor of Communication at the University of Oregon.

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Vincent Mosco is Canada Research Chair in Communication and Society in the Department of Sociology at Queen's University and the author of The Political Economy of Communication: Rethinking and Renewal.

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