Review Essay: Secrecy, Visibility and Corporate Influence

Abstract

Critical political economies of communication have developed settled categories of analysis. Communication related institutions, professions, infrastructures, networks, architectures, policy frameworks and representations are evaluated against the exercise of state and capitalist power. Theoretical debates unfold as standpoints of critique and political action are established. Such intellectual activity is often technology- or media-centric. Most researchers link one or more of the preceding analytical categories to certain aspects of broadcasting, print, film, telecommunications, computing, the internet or social media.