The Future of Journalism in the Advanced Democracies

Edited by Dr Peter Anderson and Geoff Ward, with contributions from members of staff from the department as well as other journalists and academics, The Future of Journalism in the Advanced Democracies, is available in the shops now.

The book examines the problems with delivering quality journalism in a democratic society and looks at the current and likely future impact of new technology, commercial pressures and regulatory issues.

A sample Chapter: UK Television News is available in PDF format.

You can also browse the books table of contents (PDF)

 

The book scrutinises the UK media in detail through the various mediums that news is offered as well as looking at it from national and regional perspectives. It also takes other key advanced democracies in Japan, Germany, the USA, Italy and France and compares journalism in these countries.

Dr Peter Anderson said: “Democracies need good journalism to function properly and we wanted to know the extent of the problems of journalism in the most powerful of the advanced democratic societies. We have looked at the issues on a large scale and thought about the future of news in a complex, continually changing environment.”

Experienced journalists and academics from around the world have contributed to the book with several members of UCLan’s Journalism Department writing chapters. This includes award winning former CBS news reporter Robert Beers, international documentary maker Paul Eggleston and department head Mike Ward.

Robert Beers said: “I think the field of international journalism needs solid country by country accounts of the changing conditions for journalists and journalism around the world. This book does just that regarding the media in Western democracies.”

Well received

The publication has been well received so far and is targeted at journalists, academics and advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The editor of Journalism Studies, Professor Bob Franklin of Cardiff University said: “This book poses significant and timely questions about the complex and shifting relationships between journalists and politicians in modern democracies. The answers provided by the distinguished group of contributing scholars and journalists are original, illuminating and thought provoking. This is a "must-have" book for students of journalism and comparative political communication."

The secretary of the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) Jim Latham described the book as “fascinating.”

He said: “At a time when the role of journalists and journalism is itself on the news agenda, when convergence, market mutation and huge developments in technology raise vital questions about the future, this study is a primer for basic change.”

Peter added: “It is important to examine every implication that new technology brings and how it will affect the quality of news.”

Enquiries from potential collaborators and clients are welcomed and should, in the first instance, be directed to the Research Coordinator for the Journalism Subject, Dr. Peter Anderson. Email: pjanderson1@uclan.ac.uk or telephone 01772 894744.

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