An Introduction to Political Communication (Communication and Society)

by Brian McNair

An Introduction to Political Communication introduces students to the complex relationship between politics, the media and democracy in the United Kingdom, United States and other contemporary societies. Brian McNair examines how politicians, trade unions, pressure groups, NGOs and terrorist organisations make use of the media.
Individual chapters look at political media and their effects, the work of political advertising, marketing and public relations, and the communicative practices of organizations at all levels, from grass-root campaigning through to governments and international bodies.
This fifth edition has been revised and updated.

Brian McNair is Professor of Journalism, Media and Communication at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. He has authored many books and articles on political media, including News and Journalism in the UK (fifth edition, 2009), Mediated Access (2003), Journalism and Democracy (2000) and The Sociology of Journalism (1998).

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 1995

About the author

Brian McNair was a Scottish journalist. He was a member of the Glasgow Media Group.

Reviews

[Mehreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am extremely dull when it comes to politics but this book did such a good job laying the foundation of politics and the connection with media. Read it for my political communications class and ended up being really interested in the field.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty good, especially the bit about hegemony, but much too US and UK-centered. The parts about Donald Trump and Brexit seem tacked on—probably too soon to have added them.

[Γιώργος Παπαθανασίου · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book

[Astrid Hao · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read for class

[Mona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good introduction indeed. Was easy to read and nice to also understand what is said. Maybe in some cases too much based on UK politics and media, but it's understandable - the autor is british. Specially enjoyed the parts which analysed media and different wars/conflicts (last chapter for example). All in all it's an interesting topic and worth reading/researching more about.
Edit: Since I read the edition which was released in 2003 and there was nothing about the Internet, this book would be even better with some analyse made between political communication and the Internet.

[Marta]

lasīju kursa darba tapšanai, bet patiesībā bija interesanti. teorētiski par to, kā politiķi novada ziņojumu līdz cilvēku ausīm, mediji to pārdrukā, ieliekot savos rāmjos, un kā tiek veidota politiskā komunikācija, lai sasniegtu mērķi.
jāizpēta vēl, kas ir autors, bet likās šausmīgs fanāts par politiķu komunikāciju un līdz ko runa nāca par medijiem, tā viss slikti, neviens neko nemāk izdarīt utt.