Scotland's Referendum and the Media: National and International Perspectives - Softcover

Neil Blain; David Hutchison; Gerry Hassan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0748696598 ISBN 13: 9780748696598

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2016

Synopsis

After the Referendum on whether Scotland should become an independent country in September 2014 - and following a momentous mobilisation of voters by both the Yes and No campaigns - Scotland's political environment has been fundamentally energised. But how was the Referendum campaign reported and structured in the media in Scotland, the wider United Kingdom, and in other parts of the world, and was it a matter of 'construction' rather than 'representation'? In this book scholars, commentators and journalists from Britain, Europe and beyond examine how the media across the world presented the debate itself and the shifting nature of Scottish - and British - identity which that debate revealed. Several of the contributors also explore how the emphases and constructions which were put on the debate in their particular countries illuminated these countries' own responses to nationalism and separatism. The consequences of the Referendum's No result are traced in the media through until the May general election of 2015.

About this title

Review

"Highly analytical, concept-driven and data-rich... [this collection] offers real insights into media systems and practices in Scotland, the UK and internationally that will be useful to academic audiences as well as practicing or aspiring journalists. It also provides some excellent discussion of the referendum itself."-- Peter Lynch, Scottish Affairs

"This welcome assemblage of papers covers the Scottish referendum from three broad perspectives: first, from within Scotland; second, from the rest of the United Kingdom; and third, from the international arena...The organisation and structuring of the book in this way very much helps its overall coherence, while the individual chapters contribute a series of particular outlines of how the referendum campaign was covered and received and how such issues as nationalism, separatism and identity were represented. Neil Blain, David Hutchison and Gerry Hassan have put together an excellent collection." -- European Journal of Communication

"This collection offers a considered, often insightful analysis of the role and perceptions of the media during and after the supercharged political atmosphere. The editors usefully bring together three different perspectives on the referendum: 1. Media within Scotland; 2. UK media; and 3. The view from a range of other Western nations. Such an international lens is particularly welcome given that all nations, Scotland included, seek affirmation of their own ideal self-image in a world of other nations... This volume is essential reading for all students of media and Scottish politics in turbulent times." -- Alex Law, Media Education Journal

About the Author

Neil Blain is Professor Emeritus of Communications at the University of Stirling. His publications include Media, Monarchy and Power (with Hugh O'Donnell), Sport, Media, Culture: Local and Global Dimensions and The Media in Scotland (co-edited with David Hutchison). David Hutchison has published in the fields of theatre, media policy and journalism. From 2010-2014 he was chair of Regional Screen Scotland. He is Honorary Professor of Media Policy at Glasgow Caledonian University. Gerry Hassan is an author and commentator whose books include Caledonian Dreaming, Independence of the Scottish Mind and Spirit of Independence.

About this edition

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0748696598
• ISBN 13: 9780748696598
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288
• Editor: Professor Neil Blain, David Hutchison, Professor Gerry Hassan