Real News about the News
Media and British Politics

Unravels the real effects of the mainstream and alternative news media on British politics.

Kenneth Newton (Author)

9781009387033, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 1 February 2024

202 pages, 13 tables
23.5 x 16 x 1.7 cm, 0.437 kg

'To assess the power of the media to shape public opinion and politics, start here! Kenneth Newton's up-to-date review of what we know - and don't know - about the impact of news media on public opinion in Britain is essential reading. Thorough and well written, fearless and frank, this book is a gem.' Michael Schudson, Professor of Journalism and Sociology, Columbia University

What role does the media play in British politics? There is growing concern that the media environment is biased, and that online news and social media spread fake news, conspiracy theories, propaganda, and foreign interference. Examining TV, radio, newspapers and the internet, Kenneth Newton unravels the real effects of the mainstream and alternative news media. With abundant evidence, Newton demonstrates that, contrary to popular belief: newspapers neither win nor lose elections; nor set election agendas; most citizens have a fairly mixed news diet and do not inhabit echo-chambers; social media influences on political attitudes are generally small and actually expand the range of news people get; impartial and reliable public service news still provides the bulk of the nation's news diet. Evidence shows that the main media effects on political attitudes and behaviour are positive and inform and mobilise citizens rather than influencing their voting choice.

1. Massive and minimal media effects
2. The news landscape
3. News diets
4. Avoiding, rejecting, ignoring and accepting
5. Digital pessimism
6. Newspapers, voting and agenda-setting
7. Media malaise and the mean world effect
8. Personal experience as a reality check
9. Pluralism and democracy
10. Practical lessons.

Subject Areas: Constitution: government & the state [JPHC]