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Popular Reality is a major new study of journalism in modernity. For the first time, journalism is treated as a textual system, a 'mediasphere' without which modernity's twin energies - the pursuit of freedom and comfort - could not have enjoyed their social and global reach. John Hartleyprovides a wealth of theoretical analysis and historical detail to reconceptualize the significance of modern journalism from the point of view of its greatest creation - popular readerships. Popular Reality traces the vital but virtual links between journalism, politics and popular culture, showinghow liberty, fraternity and equality are unthinkable without suburbia, sexualization and kissing. The book also provides a much-needed critique of academic and professional discourses on popular journalism, and provides new bridges between contemporary journalism and contemporary theory. Writtenwith brilliance and wit, and richly illustrated from the pages and images of popular media new and old, Popular Reality presents an original, coherent and challenging vision of the postmodern public sphere that will set a new agenda for cultural studies and journalism schools alike.