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.

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).

Product details

• Authors: James Morrison, James (Associate Professor Morrison
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 10.07.2025
• EAN: 9780198936787
• ISBN: 978-0-19-893678-7
• No. of pages: 568
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Media, communication > Book trade, library system; LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Journalism, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Industries / Media & Communications, POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / European, Press & journalism, Politics & government, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Politics and government, News media and journalism