Examines the role of the media in the contemporary politics of Australia and similar countries. Topics covered include the power of news media to set the public and political agenda; the arrival of television and its subsequent impact upon politics; how news is manufactured; PR methods used by politicians and pressure groups to manage the media; the place of 'spin doctors' and role of the Canberra Press Gallery; talk-back radio and the emergence of 'new' media. -- Course Website
Instructor: Dr I. Ward
