"Based on an exhaustive cross-Atlantic empirical study,
Citizens or Consumers? is an engaging and incisive contribution to a subject usually restricted to clichés and vague generalizations. Looking not only at how media impact upon their audiences, but the manner in which that influence is mediated by the way in which citizenship itself is represented in news stories, Lewis et. al. offer us unusual and keen insight into a familiar world. Written in an engaging and lively style, first year students and experienced faculty members (as well as general readers) will benefit from its many perceptive insights. Especially useful are the last few pages which suggest how journalists might alter their representation practices to invoke citizenship rather than passive consumerism.""The two great duelists for our attention - citizens and consumers - are locked in a struggle for the future of democracy.
Citizens or Consumers? offers its readers a sharp lesson in how the media highlight and distort that struggle. It's the kind of lesson we all need."In recent years there has been much concern about the general decline in civic participation in both Britain and the United States - especially among young people. At the same time we have seen declining budgets for serious domestic and international news and current affairs amidst widespread accusations of a “dumbing down” in the coverage of public affairs. This book enters the debate by asking whether the news media have played a role in producing a passive citizenry. And, if so, what might be done about it?
Based on the largest study of the media coverage of public opinion and citizenship in Britain and the United States, this book argues that while most of us learn about politics and public affairs from the news media, we rarely see or read about examples of an active, engaged citizenry.
Key reading for students in media and cultural studies, politics and journalism studies.
Karin Wahl-Jorgensen is a Lecturer in the Cardiff School of Journalism, Mediaand Cultural Studies. She is interested in the relationship between journalism,citizenship and democracy. She has recently completed the book, Journalists and the Public: Letters to the editor, citizen participation and democracy (HamptonPress), and her work has appeared in more than 20 international journals.
Sanna Inthorn is Senior Lecturer in Media Studies at the University of Portsmouth. She researches and teaches on media representations of national, ethnic and civic identites. Her work has appeared in the European Journal of Cultural Studies, Journalism Studies and the Media Wales Journal.