Breaking News?

Politics, Journalism, and Infotainment on Quebec Television

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International, Politics, Social Science
Cover of the book Breaking News? by Frédérick Bastien, UBC Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Frédérick Bastien ISBN: 9780774836852
Publisher: UBC Press Publication: January 15, 2018
Imprint: UBC Press Language: English
Author: Frédérick Bastien
ISBN: 9780774836852
Publisher: UBC Press
Publication: January 15, 2018
Imprint: UBC Press
Language: English

In the thousand-channel universe, politicians must find innovative ways to reach citizens via television. The rise of programming that blends information with entertainment – infotainment – on Canadian television, especially in Quebec, has provided an opportunity for today’s politicians to use it to their advantage. But their appearances on these programs also fuel concerns regarding the declining authority of journalism in the public sphere. Breaking News? traces the development of infotainment and exposes the impact of these kinds of programs on modern political communication. Frédérick Bastien questions if infotainment trivializes political discourse and lacks gravitas when dealing with weighty subjects, and if it will come to replace hard news programming. And why, although journalists may criticize politicians’ appearances on these programs, they themselves choose to appear on them regardless. This book lays out the implications of infotainment for politicians who must adjust to this form of media, for citizens who can’t rely on the codes of ethics that have conventionally guided the production of news programs, and for journalists who must reassert their unique role in democratic society. He argues that, ultimately, infotainment makes a positive contribution to democratic life by piquing the audience’s interest in public affairs and motivating them to pay more attention to political news in general.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In the thousand-channel universe, politicians must find innovative ways to reach citizens via television. The rise of programming that blends information with entertainment – infotainment – on Canadian television, especially in Quebec, has provided an opportunity for today’s politicians to use it to their advantage. But their appearances on these programs also fuel concerns regarding the declining authority of journalism in the public sphere. Breaking News? traces the development of infotainment and exposes the impact of these kinds of programs on modern political communication. Frédérick Bastien questions if infotainment trivializes political discourse and lacks gravitas when dealing with weighty subjects, and if it will come to replace hard news programming. And why, although journalists may criticize politicians’ appearances on these programs, they themselves choose to appear on them regardless. This book lays out the implications of infotainment for politicians who must adjust to this form of media, for citizens who can’t rely on the codes of ethics that have conventionally guided the production of news programs, and for journalists who must reassert their unique role in democratic society. He argues that, ultimately, infotainment makes a positive contribution to democratic life by piquing the audience’s interest in public affairs and motivating them to pay more attention to political news in general.

More books from UBC Press

Cover of the book Be Wise! Be Healthy! by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Hearts and Mines by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Leviathan Undone? by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book The Politics of Procurement by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Uncertain Accommodation by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Parties and Party Systems by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Patriation and Its Consequences by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Diasporic Media beyond the Diaspora by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book The New Lawyer, Second Edition by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book From Victoria to Vladivostok by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Montreal, City of Water by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Turning Point 1917 by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Learning and Teaching Together by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book The Politics of Linkage by Frédérick Bastien
Cover of the book Power through Testimony by Frédérick Bastien
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy