Black Mirror Effect: Making Media in a Digital Environment helps students analyze and evaluate our relationship with media as we shift from a mass media environment to an interactive digital landscape. The anthology encourages readers to improve the current media status quo and produce media content that is engaging, meaningful, and worthwhile. 

The anthology is divided into four units. Unit 1 features readings that introduce students to foundational thought leadership in media theory, as well as the constantly evolving concepts of media literacy, consumption, and culture. In Unit 2, students read about the ways in which digital media can challenge negative media representations and increase awareness about social justice, social movements, and social change. The focus of Unit 3 is the influence of digital media on news and media storytelling. In the final unit, readers discover how strategic and thoughtful media production can increase the impact of media across various platforms. 

Timely and highly engaging, Black Mirror Effect is an ideal resource for courses in mass media, mass communication, journalism, media production, and any course with an emphasis on the creation of digital media.

Brant Burkey is an assistant professor of communications at California State University Dominquez Hills. He earned his Ph.D. in media studies, with a certificate in new media and culture, and his master’s degree in communication studies from the University of Oregon. Dr. Burkey’s research focuses on digital practices in journalism, cultural heritage, digital humanities, and social media. Prior to teaching at CSU Dominguez Hills, he worked for more than 10 years as a professional journalist for a variety of news, education, lifestyle, and business publications, was a high school teacher of social sciences and journalism for eight years, and has lectured at the University of Oregon and CSU Long Beach.