An Introduction to Political Communication

Book excerpt: An Introduction to Political Communication explores the relationship between politics, the media and democracy in the United Kingdom, the United States and other contemporary societies. In this textbook Brian McNair examines how politicians, trade unions, pressure groups, non-governmental organisations and terrorist organisations make use of the media. Separate chapters look at political media and their effects, the work of political advertising, marketing and public relations, and the communication practices of organisations at all levels, from grassroots campaigning through to governments and international bodies. Recent developments covered in the new edition includes: - the re-election of New Labour in 2001 - the changes in government information and communication policy introduced by the Blair administration since 1997 - the 2000 election of George W. Bush in the United States - the NATO interventions in Kosovo and the former Yugoslavia - the implications for international political communication of September 11 - the emergence of Al-Quaida and the war on terror