Democracy under attack
How the media distort policy and politics

Author/Editor(s):

Malcolm Dean

Format:

Hardback , 432 pages , 216 x 138 mm

ISBN

9781847428486

Published:

09 Nov 2011

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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

If ever there was a bible of evidence to expose how the popular press has not simply abused but undermined the very nature of the democratic process, then this is it.Every MP and peer should read it, as should every member of every Whitehall department.
Camden New Journal

Virtually a social history of modern Britain, … [written from] a fantastic vantage point … with a lightness of touch. " Times Higher Education

About This Book

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.

Author Biography

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.

Contents

Preface: 1. The rise and fall of mainstream journalism
2. An inside and outside look at policy-making
3. Law and order
4. Drugs: tabloid puppets and pawns
5. Asylum: an oppressive media campaign prompts a cowardly political response
6. Labour's boldest target: to end child poverty
7. Vocational education: the biggest disappointment
8. Health and social care: the most expensive breakfast in history
9. The disappearance of the housing correspondent
10. Subverting democracy: seven sins of the reptiles
Afterword
Index

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