Political Communication in the Republic of Ireland
Published on 22. July 2014
Book
Hardback
268 pages
978-1-78138-027-7 (ISBN)
Description
This book presents an overview of political communication in the Republic of Ireland from a multiplicity of perspectives and sources. It brings together academics and practitioners to examine the development and current shape of political communication in modern Ireland. It also examines what the future holds for political communication in an increasingly gatekeeper-free media landscape.
The field of political communication, where journalists, public relations professionals and politicians intersect and interact, has always been a highly contested one fuelled by suspicion, mutual dependence and fraught relationships.
While politicians need the media they remain highly suspicious of journalists. While journalists remain wary of politicians, they need access to them for information. For most of the time, what emerges is a relatively stable relationship of mutual dependence with the boundaries policed by public relation professions.
However, every so often, in times of political crisis or upheaval, this relationship gives way to a near free-for-all. Politicians, spokespersons and sometimes even journalists, become fair game in the battle for public accountability and support. The determination of public relations professions to avoid this and keep the relationship based on mutual dependence has become a central component of modern statecraft and systems of governance. The need to keep politicians and the media 'on message' and use the media to inform, shape and manage public discourse has become central to the workings of government, opposition and interest groups.
On the other hand, the packaging of politics has potentially troublesome implications for the democratic process. In the era of the instant news cycle, new technologies and constant opinion polling, just where does information end and misinformation begin? With millions being spent annually on advisors and 'spin-doctors', just where does media access end and media manipulation begin?
The field of political communication, where journalists, public relations professionals and politicians intersect and interact, has always been a highly contested one fuelled by suspicion, mutual dependence and fraught relationships.
While politicians need the media they remain highly suspicious of journalists. While journalists remain wary of politicians, they need access to them for information. For most of the time, what emerges is a relatively stable relationship of mutual dependence with the boundaries policed by public relation professions.
However, every so often, in times of political crisis or upheaval, this relationship gives way to a near free-for-all. Politicians, spokespersons and sometimes even journalists, become fair game in the battle for public accountability and support. The determination of public relations professions to avoid this and keep the relationship based on mutual dependence has become a central component of modern statecraft and systems of governance. The need to keep politicians and the media 'on message' and use the media to inform, shape and manage public discourse has become central to the workings of government, opposition and interest groups.
On the other hand, the packaging of politics has potentially troublesome implications for the democratic process. In the era of the instant news cycle, new technologies and constant opinion polling, just where does information end and misinformation begin? With millions being spent annually on advisors and 'spin-doctors', just where does media access end and media manipulation begin?
Reviews / Votes
Reviews"This excellent book has been meticulously edited by Donnacha O Beachain and Mark O'Brien. The practice of political communications can sometimes be characterised by reaction over reflection. The contributors to this book display the kind of thoughtfulness and insight that can be lacking in a world where perhaps there has been too much 'us and them' - politicians on one hand, media on the other. I have no doubt it will be a fascinating and invaluable work for students of the subject." '... the themes have been well chosen and thoughtfully addressed. Recommended reading for the aspirant mediaworker, the political scientist or the sociologist of communications.'
The Sunday Times 'Political Communication in the Republic of Ireland is an intriguing work that, at minimum, ought to be read by anyone interested in the democratic political process and especially by those who have a research or other interest in Ireland.'
Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly 'The title Political Communication in the Republic of Ireland reflects this book's academic origins, but it reads like an insider's guide to life in Leinster House and editors' offices. This is the first time that Irishstyle political communication - or spin, or propaganda: call it what you will - has got an impartial examination. Its editors, Mark O'Brien and Donnacha O Beachain, of Dublin City University, have drawn together contributors from across the political and communications disciplines to cast their authoritative eyes over Irish political discourse ... What makes this book a trove is its lack of partisan politics. The detached, measured view offered by the assembled academics rings true to anyone involved or interested in political communication. This is a good insight into politics for genuine hurlers on the ditch and for devotees of the black art.'
The Irish Times 'Today's spin-doctors are faced with the serious problems posed by fake news on social media and the crucial debate about where does information end and misinformation begin. For anyone who wants to inform themselves about the terrain from which Irish political communications has emerged and where this may lead, this very enjoyable book is required reading.'
Irish Literary Supplement 'In an era of 24/7 news cycles, constant opinion polling and new technologies, political communications will continue to evolve. Today's spin-doctors are faced with the serious problem posed by fake news on social media and the crucial debate about where does information end and misinformation begin. For anyone who wants to inform themselves about the terrain from which Irish political communications has emerged and where this may lead, this very enjoyable book is required reading.'
Irish Literary Supplement
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Liverpool
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 239 mm
Width: 163 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-78138-027-7 (9781781380277)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Dr Mark O'Brien is Lecturer in the School of Communications at Dublin City University. Dr Donnacha O Beachain is Director of Research in the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University.
Content
PART ONE: POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND POLITICIANS
1. Farrel Corcoran - Political communication: an overview
2. Donnacha O Beachain - Elections and political communication
3. Sarah Kavanagh - A pragmatic partnership? Politicians and local media
4. Bryce Evans - Political communication and the 'loony left'
PART TWO: POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM
5. Mark O'Brien - 'Sources say . . .' Political journalism since 1921
6. Mark Byrne - In sickness and in health: politics, spin and the media
7. Tom Clonan - Media advisors and programme managers
8. Declan Fahy - A limited focus? Journalism, politics and the Celtic Tiger
PART THREE: POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND THE PUBLIC
9. Gary Murphy - A private affair? Lobbying and transparency in modern Ireland
10. Colum Kenny - Equal Time for Judas Iscariot? Broadcast treatment of political contests in the Republic of Ireland
11. Kevin Rafter - 'There now follows . . .' The role of the party political broadcast and the 2007 'peace broadcast'
12. Martin Molony - Social Media and political communication
13. Eoin O'Malley et al - Mediating elections in Ireland: evidence from the 2011 general election
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
1. Farrel Corcoran - Political communication: an overview
2. Donnacha O Beachain - Elections and political communication
3. Sarah Kavanagh - A pragmatic partnership? Politicians and local media
4. Bryce Evans - Political communication and the 'loony left'
PART TWO: POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND JOURNALISM
5. Mark O'Brien - 'Sources say . . .' Political journalism since 1921
6. Mark Byrne - In sickness and in health: politics, spin and the media
7. Tom Clonan - Media advisors and programme managers
8. Declan Fahy - A limited focus? Journalism, politics and the Celtic Tiger
PART THREE: POLITICAL COMMUNICATION AND THE PUBLIC
9. Gary Murphy - A private affair? Lobbying and transparency in modern Ireland
10. Colum Kenny - Equal Time for Judas Iscariot? Broadcast treatment of political contests in the Republic of Ireland
11. Kevin Rafter - 'There now follows . . .' The role of the party political broadcast and the 2007 'peace broadcast'
12. Martin Molony - Social Media and political communication
13. Eoin O'Malley et al - Mediating elections in Ireland: evidence from the 2011 general election
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index