This paper examines the role and function of social scientists in the activities of the media reform movement, considering both the challenges and the benefits associated with forging tighter linkages between social scientists and policy advocacy organizations.

Specifically, it outlines: (1) understanding the relationships between researchers, media reform actors, and policy processes; (2) strategizing ways of strengthening research-activist collaboration-in the U.S. and internationally; and (3) mapping the issue space that joins them to larger concerns about the public sphere and democratic culture.