Media Consumption And Public Engagement

Contemporary democracies are based on the belief that media can deliver the attention of the voting populations. But in an age of multiplying media, political disillusionment, and time-scarcity, is this plausible any longer? This book addresses this major question head on, drawing on the voices of people from the UK who were asked to write diaries about their experiences (or not) of 'public connection', as well as survey data and comparative research in the USA and elsewhere.

Contemporary democracies are based on the belief that media can deliver the attention of the voting populations. But in an age of multiplying media, political disillusionment, and time-scarcity, is this plausible any longer? This book addresses this major question head on, drawing on the voices of people from the UK who were asked to write diaries about their experiences (or not) of 'public connection', as well as survey data and comparative research in the USA and elsewhere.

NICK COULDRY is Professor of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK. He is the author or editor of several books including Media Rituals: A Critical Approach and Listening Beyond the Echoes: Media, Ethics and Agency in an Uncertain World.

SONIA LIVINGSTONE is Professor of Social Psychology, London School of Economics, UK. She is the author or editor of many books including Young People and New Media, Making Sense of Television: the Psychology of Audience Interpretation (in its 2nd edition) and Handbook of New Media.

TIM MARKHAM is Lecturer in Journalism, Department of Continuing Education, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK.