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This edited collection examines the changing faces of political communication in contemporary democracy. Based on comparative investigations of recent trends in the Netherlands and Great Britain, the essays provide fresh insights and new empirical evidence into the public representation of media-centred politics.

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List of Illustrations Foreword; J.Blumler Introduction; K.Brants & K.Voltmer PART I: NEW APPROACHES TO POLITICAL COMMUNICATION Audience democracy: an emerging pattern in post-modern political communication; J.de Beus Representation and mediated politics: representing representation in an age of iron; S.Coleman PART II: MEDIATIZATION - THE CHANGING POWER GAME BETWEEN POLITICS AND THE MEDIA Mediatization and news management in comparative institutional perspective; R.Brown Spin and political publicity: Effects on news coverage and public opinion; C.de Vreese & M.Elenbaas Changes in political news coverage: personalization, conflict and negativity in British and Dutch newspapers; R.Vliegenthart, H.G.Boomgaarden & J.W. Boumans A changing culture of political television journalism; J.Stamper & K.Brants A question of control: journalists and politicians in political broadcast interviews; K.Voltmer & K.Brants The elephant trap: politicians performing in television comedy; L.van Zoonen, S.Coleman & A.Kuik PART III: DE-CENTRALIZATION - NEW FORMS OF CITIZENSHIP AND POLITICAL COMMUNICATION Political consumerism as political participation?; J.Ward The new frontiers of journalism: citizen participation in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands; T.Bakker & C.Paterson The new cultural cleavage: immigration and the challenge to Dutch politics and media; P.Van Praag & M.Adriaansen The mediation of political disconnection; S.Coleman, D.Morrison & S.Yates ´Voting is easy, just press the red button´: communicating politics in the age of Big Brother; V.Cardo What´s reality television got to do with it? Talking politics in the net-based public sphere; T.Graham Afterword; J.Corner Index

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´A timely collection of essays by some of the most authoritative researchers and scholars in the field of political communication. The essays combine rigorous research on everything from advertising to reality TV, game shows and social networking with lively and accessible writing, and will be essential reading for students of political communication all over the world.´

- Brian McNair, Professor of Journalism & Communication, University of Strathclyde, UK

´The [book]is relevant and well written, and definitely has the potential to appeal to people who are not familiar with the study of political communication. The authors use popular examples to explain their points, which works to great effect ... While it will undoubtedly be useful for scholars of politics and political communication, it is also recommended to anyone interested in the intricate relationships between politics, media, and citizens.´

- Ashley Mog, LSE blog

´The book offers much that is thought-provoking for students and scholars of political communication, providing new perspectives on long-standing debates.´

- Darren G Lilleker, European Journal of Communication

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