The influence of neo-liberal assumptions on media treatment of political economy in Ireland

Abstract

This thesis examines how neo-liberal assumptions frame the way in which matters of political economy are represented and discussed in Irish media The structure of the thesis is fourfold. The first part gives an overview of what is meant by neo-hberalism and drawing, in particular, on the work of neo-liberals Hayek and Friedman outlines its significance in terms of political economy, political practice and ideology. The second part presents an overview of analytical approaches to media analysis, and describes this study’s theoretical and methodological application of a sociologically engaged, critical discourse analysis framework. The third, and most substantive, part analyses, and compares, the print, radio and television content of different Irish media. This section examines print media coverage of two European Union summits, print media coverage of the launch of the National Development Plan and the Special Savings Incentive Scheme, editorial comment about the privatisation of Telecom Eireann, and radio and television discussion (from November 2001) about the “downturn” in the economy. Based on the empirical findings, part four offers a theoretically informed account of neo-liberal influence in an Irish media and socio-political context