MODULE :COM3707
,COM3707 Exam Pack
Contains:
• Exam Preparation Notes
• Exam Questions & Answers
• eBook An Introduction to Political
Communication 5th Ed
,STUDY UNIT 1: POLITICS IN THE AGE OF MEDIATION
BESCHARA KARAM
OVERVIEW
This module will focus on the nature of the interface between politicians and the media, the
extent of their interaction and the dialectic of their relationship. This module will investigate
the actions of politicians on the one hand and journalists on the other hand, following which
this module will look at the influence of both politicians and journalists on what the public think
and do. This module begins with an examination of the concept of “political communication”
and then identifies who exactly the communicators are. Furthermore, this study unit focuses
on giving an overview of the contexts in which contemporary mass media communicate
politically. An additional focus is on the effects of political communication on behaviour,
attitudes and social processes. This module then places the introductory and theoretical
material in the context of various political communication practices of numerous actors,
including the government and party politicians.
Political communication is primarily concerned with locating the media’s agency and effectivity
in a wider social scale — and in this case, the political environment. The purpose of this
module is to look at the relationship between politics and communication.
The purpose of this module, politics in the age of mediation, is to look at the different concepts
of political communication - the relationship between political organisations, political parties,
public organisations, pressure groups, and terrorist organisations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this study unit you should be able to:
Page | 1
, • Explain what is meant by political communication by defining the concept.
• Explain how political parties take part in the political process.
• Review the communication techniques commonly used by political parties.
• Explain how public organisations differ from political parties, both in terms
of political function, as well as communication techniques.
• Explain the role of pressure groups in society.
• Briefly explain terrorist organisations= use of violence as a communication
technique.
• Explain the difference between broad and narrow audiences.
• Review the ways in which the media functions as a link between political
organisations and their intended audiences.
• Explain the importance of the international stage in political communication.
INTRODUCTION
The beginning of this chapter defines political communication in very broad terms as “purposeful
[i.e. deliberate] communication about politics”. This covers three basic types of communication:
1 Politicians communicating with the public.
2 The public communicating with politicians.
3 The media reporting on politics.
Communication covers all written and spoken communication, as well as other visual forms of
communication such as the use of party symbols, and activities such as demonstrations.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 1.1
Page | 2
,COM3707 Exam Pack
Contains:
• Exam Preparation Notes
• Exam Questions & Answers
• eBook An Introduction to Political
Communication 5th Ed
,STUDY UNIT 1: POLITICS IN THE AGE OF MEDIATION
BESCHARA KARAM
OVERVIEW
This module will focus on the nature of the interface between politicians and the media, the
extent of their interaction and the dialectic of their relationship. This module will investigate
the actions of politicians on the one hand and journalists on the other hand, following which
this module will look at the influence of both politicians and journalists on what the public think
and do. This module begins with an examination of the concept of “political communication”
and then identifies who exactly the communicators are. Furthermore, this study unit focuses
on giving an overview of the contexts in which contemporary mass media communicate
politically. An additional focus is on the effects of political communication on behaviour,
attitudes and social processes. This module then places the introductory and theoretical
material in the context of various political communication practices of numerous actors,
including the government and party politicians.
Political communication is primarily concerned with locating the media’s agency and effectivity
in a wider social scale — and in this case, the political environment. The purpose of this
module is to look at the relationship between politics and communication.
The purpose of this module, politics in the age of mediation, is to look at the different concepts
of political communication - the relationship between political organisations, political parties,
public organisations, pressure groups, and terrorist organisations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this study unit you should be able to:
Page | 1
, • Explain what is meant by political communication by defining the concept.
• Explain how political parties take part in the political process.
• Review the communication techniques commonly used by political parties.
• Explain how public organisations differ from political parties, both in terms
of political function, as well as communication techniques.
• Explain the role of pressure groups in society.
• Briefly explain terrorist organisations= use of violence as a communication
technique.
• Explain the difference between broad and narrow audiences.
• Review the ways in which the media functions as a link between political
organisations and their intended audiences.
• Explain the importance of the international stage in political communication.
INTRODUCTION
The beginning of this chapter defines political communication in very broad terms as “purposeful
[i.e. deliberate] communication about politics”. This covers three basic types of communication:
1 Politicians communicating with the public.
2 The public communicating with politicians.
3 The media reporting on politics.
Communication covers all written and spoken communication, as well as other visual forms of
communication such as the use of party symbols, and activities such as demonstrations.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY 1.1
Page | 2
