Essential Public Affairs for Journalists

Knowledge of public affairs matters: this friendly guide is an invaluable read for journalism students and journalists looking for a firm grasp on how central and local governments work, how public services operate, and how political events generate informative new stories.

· Offers engaging coverage of the constitutional framework and the governing institutions of the UK, and gives stimulating insights into how they are, and could be, covered by journalists
· Designed to complement NCTJ-accredited syllabi, this text is also recommended for a broad range of media qualifications
· Chapters move logically through relevant topics including the economy, the electoral system, political parties, healthcare, education and housing, and conclude with 'take-home points' and 'current issues' to summarise the chapter and provide contextual knowledge
· Fully updated to reflect policy changes introduced by the governments of Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak
· Includes detailed overviews of the key impacts on British politics, public services, and the economy of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 'cost-of-living crisis', and the war in Ukraine
· New sections outlining the impact of Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's 2022 'mini-Budget' and policy changes affecting a range of areas including asylum and immigration, housing and planning, ownership of the railways, and the National Health Service in England

Digital formats and resources
The eighth edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported by online resources. The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks

List of contents

• 1: The British constitution and monarchy


• 2: Parliamentary democracy in the UK


• 3: Prime minister, Cabinet, and government


• 4: Britain's electoral systems


• 5: Political parties, party funding, and lobbying


• 6: The National Health Service


• 7: The Treasury, industry, and the utilities


• 8: Social security and home affairs


• 9: The origins and structure of local government


• 10: Financing local government


• 11: Local government decision-making


• 12: Local government accountability and elections


• 13: Education


• 14: Planning policy and environmental protection


• 15: Housing


• 16: Children's services and adult social care


• 17: Transport, environment, leisure, and culture


• 18: Freedom of information

About the author

James Morrison is an Associate Professor in Journalism at the University of Stirling, and a freelance journalist and writer. Previously, he was course leader of the NCTJ-accredited newspaper and magazine journalism programmes at City College Brighton and Hove, Senior Lecturer at Kingston University, and Reader at Robert Gordon University. James is a senior examiner in public affairs for the NCTJ and a member of its Public Affairs board. He has authored a number of books exploring journalism and socio-political issues, including, most recently, The Left Behind: Reimagining Britain's Socially Excluded (Pluto Press, 2022).

Summary

Knowledge of public affairs matters: this friendly guide is an invaluable read for journalism students and journalists looking for a firm grasp on how central and local governments work, how public services operate, and how political events generate informative new stories.

· Offers engaging coverage of the constitutional framework and the governing institutions of the UK, and gives stimulating insights into how they are, and could be, covered by journalists
· Designed to complement NCTJ-accredited syllabi, this text is also recommended for a broad range of media qualifications
· Chapters move logically through relevant topics including the economy, the electoral system, political parties, healthcare, education and housing, and conclude with 'take-home points' and 'current issues' to summarise the chapter and provide contextual knowledge
· Fully updated to reflect policy changes introduced by the governments of Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak
· Includes detailed overviews of the key impacts on British politics, public services, and the economy of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 'cost-of-living crisis', and the war in Ukraine
· New sections outlining the impact of Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's 2022 'mini-Budget' and policy changes affecting a range of areas including asylum and immigration, housing and planning, ownership of the railways, and the National Health Service in England

Digital formats and resources
The eighth edition is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported by online resources. The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with functionality tools, navigation features and links that offer extra learning support: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks

Additional text

A very engaging and thorough textbook offering the latest insight into public affairs. Morrison presents complex issues in an interesting way that engages journalism students.

Report

Review from previous edition Blimey! I could have done with this book about 20 years ago. A wholesome and comprehensive canter around every limb and funnybone of the state. Chris Mason, BBC Political Editor

Product details

• Authors: James Morrison
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.07.2023
• EAN: 9780192874597
• ISBN: 978-0-19-287459-7
• No. of pages: 560
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Journalism, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Industries / Media & Communications, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Public Affairs & Administration, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / European, Press & journalism, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Public Administration, News media and journalism