This book provides an introduction to the sociolinguistic issues at work in media discourse and combines both macro and micro sociolinguistic approaches to analysing media as sites of language policy and practice. Macro issues in the sociology of media language are examined through micro-level linguistic analysis of media data with the objective of exploring the linguistic policies, behaviours, attitudes and practices reflected in media texts. Topics covered in the chapters include:* media constructions of national languages * language policy and planning in media contexts * media representations of linguistic variation and diversity * languages in contact and multilingualism in media contexts * the sociolinguistic consequences of media globalization Using case studies drawn from a range of international, national and regional media, this book will be essential reading for advanced students and researchers of media discourse and sociolinguistics.