Packaging Politics: Political Communications in Britain's Media Democracy 2nd Edition

by Franklin Bob (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  1995

  $3.25

  Packaging Politics examines the various ways in which politicians in political parties, in central and local government and in Parliament, have become increasingly enthusiastic and adept at using mass media to present themselves and their policies to the public. The book argues that packaging politics has had a harmful effect on the conduct of politics in a democracy. Gone are the days when voters attended public meetings and confronted politicians face-to-face . The public's access to politicians is now mediated via television, radio or newspapers. Skilled and highly paid marketing and communications professionals create media images for politicians which seem to be more influential in winning voters' support than any clear understanding of party policy. The author asks whether the media offer voters information about politics with which they can make better political decisions or whether the media are being manipulated and managed by politicians in ways that allow them undue and improper influence over voters' choices.

• Used

  Paperback
  2004

  $3.39

  Packaging Politics 2nd Edition examines the various ways in which politicians, spin doctors and special advisers, in political parties, in central and local government and in Parliament have become increasingly enthusiastic and effective in using mass media to present and promote themselves and their policies to the public. Bob Franklin argues that packaging politics has potentially troublesome implications for the political process in a democracy. Beginning with Government spin doctor Jo Moore's suggestion of September 11th, 2001 that 'its a very good day to bury bad news', Bob Franklin illustrates the extent to which politicians' determination to set the news agenda, to use media to inform, shape and manage public discourse about policy and politics, has become a crucial component of modern statecraft and systems of governance. This thoroughly revised, updated and authoritative study of political communications in Britain draws on interviews with key journalists and politicians and recent academic studies of general elections and political marketing, as well as official reports on special advisors, Government information services, Government advertising expenditure and party election broadcasts, to examine the changing character of political communications in Britain since the election of New Labour in 1997.

• New

  Paperback
  2004

  $38.70

  Packaging Politics 2nd Edition examines the various ways in which politicians, spin doctors and special advisers, in political parties, in central and local government and in Parliament have become increasingly enthusiastic and effective in using mass media to present and promote themselves and their policies to the public. Bob Franklin argues that packaging politics has potentially troublesome implications for the political process in a democracy. Beginning with Government spin doctor Jo Moore's suggestion of September 11th, 2001 that 'its a very good day to bury bad news', Bob Franklin illustrates the extent to which politicians' determination to set the news agenda, to use media to inform, shape and manage public discourse about policy and politics, has become a crucial component of modern statecraft and systems of governance. This thoroughly revised, updated and authoritative study of political communications in Britain draws on interviews with key journalists and politicians and recent academic studies of general elections and political marketing, as well as official reports on special advisors, Government information services, Government advertising expenditure and party election broadcasts, to examine the changing character of political communications in Britain since the election of New Labour in 1997.