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x Preface
perspectives of different countries and regions. The ambition was to be equally
interested in theory and empirical research (especially when combined) and
normative as well as social-scientific theory. The doors were to be open to younger
as well as established scholars and to ‘thoughtful professionals in communica-
tion as well as academics’ (to quote the opening editorial again). One of the most
ambitious aims of the original EJC was to address questions of intellectual or
social significance.
The content of the Journal has inevitably changed to reflect developments
in society, culture and media, plus intellectual responses to these. The field of
communication has become more specialized and there are many more journals
published in Europe, but there still seems to be a need for a generalist publica-
tion that deals with core issues. The broad aims of the EJC have not changed
greatly and it should be possible to recognize much the same lines of thinking in
the selections reproduced here, even though they are mainly drawn from issues
of the last few years. We are still committed to an open and diverse policy of
selection, still concerned with potential intellectual and social significance, still
focused primarily on public communication, but recognizing that sharp lines
between public and private can no longer be drawn.
The existence of this book and the success of the Journal in its ambitions reflect
the efforts of innumerable authors, reviewers, advisers and helpers. On an
anniversary occasion it is appropriate to name a succession of dedicated Book
Review Editors and Associate Editors. Klaus Schönback, Robin Cheesman and
Michael Pickering have served in the former capacity. The latter have included
Holli Semetko, Robert Buinett, Margaret Scammell, Tudor Oltean, Wendy Monk,
Hilde Jansseus, Liz Sutton, Heather Owen, Dieder van Landuyt, Sarah Rawson
and Annelore Deprez. We are much indebted for their collective efforts over the
years. In a more immediate sense, we are very grateful to Julia Hall for encour-
agement and support in the whole enterprise and to Jamilah Ahmed and
Fabienne Pedroletti for organizing out the task of production so efficiently.

Denis McQuail
Peter Golding
Els de Bens
March 2005