Media Consumption and Public Engagement: Beyond the Presumption of Attention [Paperback]

Democracy is based on the belief that the?media gets the attention of voters. But is this plausible in an age of multiplying media, disillusionment with the political system and time-scarcity? This book addresses this question, and charts experiences of 'public connection'.List of Tables List of Figures Preface PART I: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS Democracy and the Presumption of Attention Media Consumption and Public Connection Tracking Public Connection: Some Methodological Issues PART II: THE PUBLIC CONNECTION PROJECT Introduction Mediated Public Connection: Broad Dynamics The Variability of Media Use Values, Talk and Action Democracy Seen from Afar Engagement and Mediation: Findings from the Public Connection Survey PART III: CONCLUSION Conclusion: the Future of Public Connection Appendices References Index

'A significant contribution to academic research.' - The Political Quarterly

'...makes an important contribution to debates around the relationship between celebrity and politics, democratic malaise and media effects, which should be of interest to, and should be read by, students both of politics and of media and society more generally.' - European Journal of Communication

'...an important book, contributing valuable empirical evidence on 'actually existing' public spheres and presenting us with some disturbing and thought and hopefully, action - provoking findings.' - Journal of Consumer Culture

'This book is... a text I will certainly be recommending to students engaged in postgraduate study of audiences, or with any interest in the relationship between media and political engagement.' - Participations

'It is almost as if I had been waiting for precisely this book...with inspiring conceptual clarity, detailed empirical study, and a very accessible style, the authors explore the complex character of citizens' media connection in modern democracies.' - Professor Peter Dahlgren, Lund Ul£"