"Modern journalism is often the subject of criticism and opposition. Written by one of the foremost authorities on language and the media today, this book suggests that this view is unfair, and that journalists are in fact skilled 'word-weavers' whose output is cleverly worked into planned patterns. Drawing on a range of authentic news articles, it traces the development of journalism from its origins to the present day. Aitchison shows how contemporary...

From newspapers and television to email, the Internet and text messaging, there are ever increasing media conduits for the news. This book investigates how developments in world media have affected, and been affected by, language.