This book On Media: Making Sense of Politics provides a comprehensive exploration of how mass media shapes political learning and public opinion. It challenges the notion that citizens are politically apathetic or ignorant, instead demonstrating how people successfully extract vital civic information from both traditional news and entertainment. The media serves as a central arena where political power is exercised and contested. The book explores how politicians and journalists actively shape public discourse by determining which issues receive the most attention and framing. News is a manufactured product rather than an objective reflection of reality. The book examines the organizational, economic, and time pressures that influence journalists and media corporations, ultimately dictating how information is selected and broadcast. A healthy democracy requires informed citizens. This book evaluates the adequacy of the news supply and explains the ways in which media helps citizens formulate civic judgments and participate in democratic governance. Modern election campaigns rely heavily on calculated media strategies. This book details how candidates use advertising, debates, and media relations to persuade voters, manage their public image, and mobilize the electorate. The shift toward a hybrid media system has revolutionized political communication. Digital platforms have decentralized the flow of information, enabling direct and immediate interaction between politicians and their constituents. The rise of digital media has escalated the spread of misinformation, deepfakes, and propaganda.
Dr. Julian Croft is a visionary political communications scholar and the Director of the Institute for I. M. R. Foundation. Bridging the gap between empirical political science and media theory, Croft has dedicated his career to demystifying how citizens navigate the complexities of power, identity, and information in the digital age. Drawing on decades of crosscultural research, Croft's academic journey is shaped by several core themes reflected throughout On MediaMaking Sense of Politics. Croft investigates how media structures are inextricably linked to political control, tracing the evolving mechanisms of political news production from traditional broadcasting to algorithmic distribution. Specializing in modern campaign dynamics, he examines how data analytics, generative AI, and digital networks shape political communication. As a leading voice on media trust, Croft provides critical analysis on combating statesponsored propaganda and the global spread of disinformation. He explores how marginalized groups reclaim democratic agency, using the media to challenge dominant political narratives and champion social representation. Croft tackles the ongoing battles over press freedom, government regulation, and the ethical responsibilities of tech platforms in holding the powerful accountable. A frequent public intellectual and contributor to global media literacy initiatives, Dr. Croft's work redefines how everyday citizens can cut through the noise of modern political coverage. His engaging insights help readers transform a chaotic media environment into an accessible tool for understanding global politics.
| Preface Chapter 1. Media, Politics, and Power Media as Political Institutions Communication and the Exercise of Power Politics in Mediated Societies The Public Sphere and Political Debate Media, Ideology, and Hegemony Political Communication Models News Media and Political Authority Media Influence on Public Opinion Chapter 2. Political News Production How Political News is Made News Values and Political Coverage Sources, Elites, and Access Journalism Framing and Agenda Setting Editorial Choices and Political Bias Routines of Political Reporting Constraints on Political Journalism Accountability in Political News Chapter 3. Media, Democracy, and Citizenship Media’s Role in Democratic Life Informing Citizens and Voters Deliberation and Public Reason Media and Political Participation Representation and Inclusion Trust, Credibility, and Legitimacy Civic Culture and Media Use Challenges to Democratic Communication Chapter 4. Elections, Campaigns, and Media Strategy Media Logic in Election Campaigns Political Advertising and Persuasion Debates, Interviews, and Soundbites Opinion Polls and Election Coverage Strategic Framing and Image Management Media Events and Political Spectacle Regulation of Campaign Communication Media Influence on Electoral Outcomes Chapter 5. Digital Media and Political Communication Social Media and Networked Politics Platform Algorithms and Political Visibility Online Campaigning and Mobilization Data, Microtargeting, and Voter Analytics Virality, Memes, and Political Culture Digital Inequality and Participation Platform Governance and Regulation Reconfiguring Political Communication |
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$280.00