The increasingly close ties between leading politicians and journalists in Britain have been to the detriment of the public interest

The British press, from the Sun to the Telegraph and most points in between, were quick to castigate the Crown Prosecution Service for its attacks on the ‘free press’ after the acquittal of Rebekah Brooks and despite the conviction of Andy Coulson. There are no winners in this case, writes Mick Temple. Neither the press, police nor politicians emerge well from the hacking trial

Community Service: Editor pride and user preference on local newspaper websites

Armed with readily accessible online traffic logs that provide detailed information about the items users are selecting to view, editors are voicing concern about the potential effect on their own content decisions. Through a survey of local British newspaper editors, this article examines the overlap between user preferences, as suggested by assessments of website traffic, and content that editors identify as their best. Results are considered in the context of two related subsets of agenda-setting theory, as well as the sociological process of “making news.” The study finds overlap between broad categories of stories preferred by editors and users, but a considerable disconnect over the nature of the items within those categories

Civic and audience empowerment: the role of citizen journalism

This chapter examines and critiques the concept of the 'citizen journalist'. In particular, it examines the idea that so-called citizen journalists enhance the public sphere (Habermas 1989) by empowering ’the people formerly known as the audience' (Rosen 2006). Traditionally, the audience have been seen as essentially passive recipients of knowledge. It is argued that the potential interactivity of the technological revolution contributes to a more pluralistic and interactive public sphere (Curran and Seaton 2010). There is no doubt that alternative and more participatory media could offer an alternative to the ‘subordinate role of audience as receiver’ (Atton and Hamilton 2008: 1) and contribute to the development of ‘active citizenship’, seen as essential to the continuation of participatory democracy (Harcup 2011)

Political marketing, party behaviour and political science

This chapter will critically examine theories of political marketing, with particular reference to the three-stage model as developed by Jennifer Lees-Marshment. The analysis will concentrate on what is arguably the major weakness in the operationalisation of approaches rooted in marketing theory, in that the media appear to be merely an agent for getting the message of both ‘sales-oriented parties’ (SOPs) and ‘market-oriented parties’ (MOPs) across. Both the methods of political marketing (such as focus groups) and the normative elements of the Lees-Marshment model also pose problems for traditional conceptions of democratic accountability. Despite such criticisms, the Lees-Marshment model has been an important contribution to the literature and, as the country studies in this book demonstrate, a valuable aid for comparative study

The dog and lamp-post: why Leveson won't change the relationship

Mencken’s famous analogy is amusing but unhelpful. Whether or not journalists are the dog and politicians are the lamp-post, the nature of their relationship has contributed not only to a public sphere in which reliable information about politics is all too rare but also to the increasingly negative image the public have of both professions. Leveson may have produced a decidedly “mediocre” report (The Economist, 8 December, 2012) filled with vague and essentially unworkable recommendations, but his central message is clear and indisputable. The relationship between British politicians and journalists needs to change. Senior politicians have for too long responded like Pavlov’s dogs to the temporary obsessions of newspapers like the Sun and Daily Mail, and are so afraid of powerful press barons like Rupert Murdoch that they openly court their approval and support in return for policy pay-offs. On the other hand, many political journalists have become too reliant upon and too close personally to senior politicians and their spinners. The result? The evidence presented to Leveson shows a relationship corrupted by mutual suspicion and cynicism in which the public have been the chief losers

In praise of the popular press: the need for tabloid racism

This article argues that the mainstream public sphere needs to provide a more accurate portrayal of public opinion on race and immigration. British newspapers are often accused of racism: that they might be representing the views of many of their readers is dismissed. The free circulation of ideas, however unpalatable some might be to ‘enlightened’ thought, is essential. The press can play a key role in a more inclusive public debate by allowing readers’ views greater prominence and by opening their news and comment pages to a wider range of opinion. Concerns that readers will be seduced by extremism say more about elite perceptions of the malleability of the masses than about concern for democratic debate

The Future of Journalism Education in the United Kingdom: a Personal View from the Academy

Journalism training must not only equip students with the practical skills essential for their career, but must also show students how journalism \u27participates in the production and circulation of meaning\u27. \u27Journalism studies\u27 is not an irrelevance to the trained journalist, or even a desirable add-on – it is an essential element of journalistic training. A journalist without an understanding of the history, values and ideology of her profession is an illiterate journalist. The consequences of the internet for journalism and journalism education could be disastrous. We must also be able to trust the information we are given – and in order to do that we need a new generation of ethically-conscious, well-trained journalists for the challenges faced by the new online environment. Those journalists must be prepared to be adaptable, which requires more than producing journalists to meet the perceived skill gaps of today\u27s environment. The challenge for journalism educators is to be equally adaptable. The industry is asking and expecting a great deal of both educators and students. Most crucially, employers must recognise that training cannot be left to the universities alone

The promise of Blair's 'New Labour' and a new politics was not fulfilled despite years of prosperity

No British politician has entered prime ministerial office riding the wave of goodwill upon which Tony Blair swept into Downing Street in 1997. His campaign’s theme tune, ‘Things Can Only Get Better’, summed up the general mood of public optimism about the new Prime Minister. Yet in 2010 threats of violence caused him to cancel book signings of his autobiography in England. Such a change in public opinion is largely explained by the decision that has perhaps permanently damaged his reputation. The consequences of his support for America's wish to overthrow Saddam Hussein in the Iraq War of 2003 have coloured all assessments of Blair's premiership. For his critics (often former supporters), his government's other achievements have all been overshadowed by the 'lies and spin' that led Britain into the front line of the world-wide ‘war on terror'

The British Press

About the book: "Mick Temple's book makes an important contribution to the debate on the critical historical role and uncertain future of newspapers and the key place of quality journalism within that debate." Jeremy Dear, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists, UK "This book provides a brilliant synthesis of academic and journalistic debate on the past, present and future of the British newspaper. Impressively up-to-date, it is an accessible and well sign-posted introduction to students of the news media and political communication and should become an essential addition to their reading." Martin Conboy, University of Sheffield, UK "A thorough and thoughtful investigation into the British press and its contribution to our social and political culture." Simon Kelner, Editor-in-Chief, The Independent This exciting book offers a practical introduction to the history, theory, politics and potential future of British newspapers. Focussing on the relationship between the press and political history, it examines their social and political impact, assessing the press's contribution to enlarging and informing the public sphere. The author provides a theoretical critique of press developments. The first part of the text leads you through key historical moments from the English Civil War to Wapping and beyond, while the second half takes an in-depth look at current empirical and theoretical concerns. Scholarly yet accessible, Mick Temple is not afraid to take a position on today's contentious issues. The book takes a more positive perspective on the British press than has often been the case, highlighting the online strength of great brand names like the Telegraph, Guardian, Sun and Mail. Temple argues that throughout their history, our newspapers have been vital conduits for public opinion and, on occasion, catalysts for social change. The British Press is key reading for journalism, media and social science students

Leveson - to regulate or not to regulate?

There are three key issues that consistently raise their head during discussions about regulation:How does the regulator oblige newspapers to accept its rulings? What criteria should be used to choose which publishers are covered?Is the new body a regulator or a complaints handler – in other words, what powers should it have? One overwhelming feature of the debate is its very limited nature outside of Leveson’s courtroom. Publishers are keen to get their version of the regulator, a version that has been pressed strongly in many newspapers, but there have been limited opportunities to hear other views. Here Journalism Education identifes two very different ways of handling the press. One from former AJE chair, Mick Temple, looks at a press without regulation whilst Chris Frost, the present chair, puts the case for a strong regulator