Joseph Turow is Robert Lewis Shayon Professor of Media Systems and Industries at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication. He has authored eleven books, edited five, and written more than 150 articles on mass media industries. Turow is an elected Fellow of the International Communication Association and was presented with a Distinguished Scholar Award by the National Communication Association. A 2005 New York Times Magazine article referred to Turow as "probably the reigning academic expert on media fragmentation." In 2010, the New York Times called him "the ranking wise man on some thorny new-media and marketing topics." In 2012, the TRUSTe internet privacy-management organization designated him a "privacy pioneer" for his research and writing on marketing and digital-privacy.

• Part I: The Nature and Business of Media; 1. Understanding Mass Media, Convergence, and the Importance of Media Literacy; 2. Making Sense of Research on Media Effects and Media Culture; 3. The Business of Media; 4. Financing and Shaping the Media: Advertising, Public Relations, and Marketing Communications; 5. Controls on Media Content: Government Regulation, Self-Regulation, and Ethics; Part II: The Media Industries; 6. The Internet Industry; 7. The Book Industry; 8. The News Industry; 9. The Magazine Industry; 10. The Recording Industry; 11. The Audio Industry; 12. The Movie Industry; 13. The Television and Video Streaming Industry; 14. The Video Game Industry.

Reviews for the previous edition:"Joe Turow’s new edition of Media Today not only provides historical context and clear descriptions of current media structures and effects, but also offers up-to-date insights into the rapid changes in our media and why they matter."The new edition of Media Today does a masterful job of clearly explaining the latest changes in media industries and why these changes should matter to us. I am always excited for the latest edition!" Matt McAllister, Professor of Media Studies, Penn State University, USA"Media Today 7 is a comprehensive survey of the world of communication that, unlike most 'intro' textbooks, goes beyond the surface and the latest trends. Turow’s text delves in depth into the business of media so that students will find a sophisticated understanding of the fields they may pursue as a career. He also highlights the major issues, concerns, and challenges to media in our lives, culture, and politics." David D. Perlmutter, Professor of Media & Communication, Texas Tech University, USA