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Democracy Under Attack
How the Media Distort Policy and Politics
Malcom Dean
How big a beast is the media? Can right wing tabloids influence social policy using their ability to fan fears and prejudices? Malcolm Dean, the Guardian's longstanding chief monitor of social policy, expertly indicts his own trade through a series of seven case studies. Drawing on four decades of top level Whitehall briefings, topped up by interviews with 150 senior participants in the policy-making process, the book is packed with new insights, and colourful stories from events in Whitehall's corridors, culminating in a damning list detailing the seven deadly sins of the 'reptiles' (modern journalists)..Written in an engaging way with some great stories and with an Afterword updating developments from "the Murdoch meltdown" July 2011, it offers a unique insider's perspective and a detailed and valuable account of news production in Britain and will give readers a flavour of what goes on in news rooms, pressure groups, departmental policy divisions and parliament.
Malcolm Dean joined The Guardian newspaper in 1969 where he served as roving reporter, social affairs leader-writer and assistant editor. He became Special Adviser to the Health and Social Services Secretary in 1978/79. Returning to the paper in 1979 post election, he launched its Society section, a highly successful weekly supplement specialising in social policy, which he edited for most of its first 20 years as well as writing daily editorials. He retired in 2006 to take up a fellowship at Nuffield College, Oxford, where he is still an associate. He has served on numerous social policy working parties and was chair of a Joseph Rowntree Foundation commission on older people.
Malcolm Dean's fascinating book explores an under-discussed dimension of politics - how policy and political decisions are shaped by the popular media. Many of his examples should cause us great concern.
- Baroness Shirley Williams
Malcolm Dean had a media seat in the stalls of social policy through four tumultuous decades. He's been there, seen it - and knows it better than anyone. A vital subject: a definitive book.
- Peter Preston, former editor of The Guardian
How big a role does the media play in making social policy? Malcolm Dean, veteran Guardian journalist, provides a unique insight on a much neglected but crucial area of policy-making. His case studies are a must read.
- Howard Glennerster, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy, London School of Economics
Malcolm Dean has been uniquely well-placed to witness innumerable policy successes and failures, and the often distorted lens through which they have been covered by the media. This thoughtful and wise book will be invaluable for anyone working in the media who's involved in explaining social policy, and to anyone involved in social policy who needs to get the media on their side.
- Geoff Mulgan, former Director of the Prime Minister's Policy Unit and the Cabinet Office's Strategy Unit in Tony Blair's Government
9781847428486 $39.95 Policy Press Hardcover 432pp
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