Soviet Media in Transition: Structural and Economic Alternatives »

ELENA ANDROUNAS, who holds a Ph.D. in the history of journalism from Moscow University, is the owner and director of Comcon, a communications consulting company in Moscow.

This study, written by a Russian expert on the media, analyzes the unique role of the mass media--television and the press--in the social, political, and economic changes that began in the Soviet Union in 1985 under the name of perestroika and culminated recently in the country's dissolution. In addition, the work examines the restructuring of the media, from mouthpiece of the Communist Party to independent commentator. By viewing the struggle for control of the media as reflective of the country's political turmoil, the author provides a fascinating insight into the ways and means of Russian politics.

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The owner of a media consulting company describes the changes in mass media under perestroika and since. She blames the slowness of reform on Communists for controlling the media, refusing to legalize western-style ownership, and suppressing cultural and intellectual expression. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)