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Is there still a 'crisis in public communication' (if there ever was one)? The UK experience

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 22:54 authored by Ivor GaberIvor Gaber
This article takes a considered look at the debates surrounding the notion of ‘the crisis in political communications’ as it applies, in particular, to the United Kingdom. The article begins by seeking to make the Habermasian notion of the public sphere relevant to contemporary political communications in the United Kingdom. It then goes on to detail the evolution of the argument that there is a crisis, by tracing it, mainly but not exclusively,through the works of Jay Blumler and his collaborators. It places these arguments within the context of the changes in the relations between politicians and the media as set out by both scholars and through the author’s reflections on his own professional practice. The article suggests that despite what some have described as a deterioration in the political communications system, the dramatic changes that have been, and are, taking place in the increasingly digital public sphere, an argument can be sustained that we are moving into a period when, because the public (or its online component) have greater access to political information and debate, the crisis, if it ever existed in the first place, is passing and we are now moving towards an enhanced and healthier digital public sphere.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Journalism

ISSN

1464-8849

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Issue

5

Volume

17

Page range

636-651

Department affiliated with

  • Media and Film Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-10-22

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2015-10-21

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