New government communication

Author: Norris / Gu Jianguang (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: In recent decades, a prominent phenomenon in Western societies has been the apathy of citizens towards politics, with low voter turnout in elections and a clear inclination towards consumerism and entertainment. A popular view in the West suggests that this is intrinsically linked to the political communication and communication processes adopted by new media and parties. However, the authors of this book hold a different opinion on this traditional view. The authors conduct a comparative study of the role of news media and parties in post-industrial societies, with the core research conclusion being that instead of mistakenly focusing all attention on criticizing the way news media report, it is better to understand and confront the deeper-rooted problems within Western representative democracy. The authors argue that although some negative reporting by the news media may adversely affect public support for specific policy issues, there is still a consistent and positive relationship between public attention to the news media and their understanding of political knowledge, trust in the government, and political participation. This book is suitable for public administration students and teachers.