It would be difficult to find a more interesting topic than the relationship between the news media and politics, especially given that Americans are now living in the "Twitter presidency" of Donald Trump. Academic research in the area of media and politics is rapidly breaking new ground to keep pace with prolific media developments and societal changes. This innovative, up-to-date text moves beyond rudimentary concepts and definitions to consider exciting research as well as practical applications that address monumental changes in media systems in the US and the world. This carefully crafted volume explores key questions posed by academics and practitioners alike, exposing students to rigorous scholarship as well as everyday challenges confronted by politicians, journalists, and media consumers.

Each chapter opens with a "big question" about the impact of the news media, provides an overview of the more general topic, and then answers that question by appealing to the best, most-up-to-date research in the field. The volume as a whole is held together by an exploration of the rapidly changing media environment and the influence these changes have on individual political behavior and governments as a whole.

New Directions in Media and Politics makes an ideal anchor for courses as it digs deeper into the questions that standard textbooks only hint at-and presents scholarly evidence to support the arguments made.

New to the Second Edition

• Fully updated through the 2016 elections and the early Trump presidency with a special focus on the role of social media.
• Adds three new chapters: The Move to Mobile; Media and Public Policy; and Fake News.
• Adds Discussion Questions to the end of each chapter.

About the Author
Travis N. Ridout is Thomas S. Foley Distinguished Professor of Government and Public Policy in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs at Washington State University. He specializes in the study of political communication, with a focus on campaigns and political advertising. His most recent book is Political Advertising in the United States (2016). He also serves as co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project.

Reviews

Praise for the Second Edition

The strengths of this book's first edition were its ability to take contributions from top scholars in the field and make them accessible, and its focus on how changes in the media affect the ability of American democracy to function. The second edition builds on this solid foundation by adding topics that currently preoccupy my students, such as "fake news" and President Trump's unique relationship with the media. There isn't a better introduction to what political science has to say about the relationship between the media and politics out there.

Keena Lipsitz, CUNY Queens College & The Graduate Center

New Directions in Media and Politics takes a unique approach, tackling big questions effectively while stepping outside of artificial subfield boundaries in today's quick-moving media environment. This method makes it easy for students to contribute to lively discussions and for instructors to teach with this birds-eye view of issues in the field.

Henrik Schatzinger, Ripon College; Co-Director, Center for Politics and the People

Book Information
ISBN 9781138559127
Author Travis N. Ridout
Format Paperback
Page Count 342
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 412g