The Media, the Public and the Great Financial Crisis

Book excerpt: This book explores the impact of the print and broadcast media on public knowledge and understanding of the 2008 Great Financial Crisis. It represents the first systemic attempt to analyse how mass media influenced public opinion and political events during this key period in Britain's economic history. To do this, the book combines analysis of media content, focus groups with members of the public and interviews with leading news journalists and editors in order to unpack the production, content and reception of economic news. From the banking crisis to the debate over Britain's public deficit, this book explores the key role of the press and broadcasting in shaping public understanding and legitimating austerity through both short and long term patterns of media socialisation.