News and Civil Society

’A fascinating examination of the ways in which dissent is represented and debated in the British press, bringing a sophisticated insight to questions of fairness, legitimacy and justice, and raising questions about the nature of contemporary civil society and the role of the news media. This book will provide sustenance to anyone who wants to think intelligently about promoting alternatives to the status quo.’ Justin Lewis, Cardiff University, UK ’In an era of crass marketisation and seeming-political disengagement, Jen Birks’ excellent book re-situates civil society at the centre of discussions on news media. Offering an adroit and learned analysis of the British press, rarely pulling its punches and mixing contemporary vitality with an admirable conceptual depth this will be essential reading to all those concerned with the health of our mediated democracy.’ Michael Higgins, University of Strathclyde, UK ’The great virtue of Birks' study is the clarity and depth of her analysis, which provides a vital corrective to the propagation of myths about the role of media forms in the reproduction of civil society and citizenship. This is a finely nuanced work that examines the subtlety of human and institutional behaviour, placing contemporary protest and dissent at the heart of a vital debate.' Stuart Price, De Montfort University, UK